Abbot of Tavistock was the title of the abbot of Tavistock Abbey in Devon, England. The name of the first abbot is unknown, but the abbey was founded between 975 and 980.Knowles, David; Brooke C. N. L.; and London, Vera C. M. The Heads of Religious Houses: England and Wales 940–1216 Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1972 Unless otherwise specified the details in the following table are from Heads of Religious Houses: England & Wales 940–1216.
Name Dates Notes unknownc.975 First abbotÆlfmær994–c1009Became bishop of SelseyLyfing of Winchesterc.1009–1027Became bishop of WorcesterAldredc. 1027–c. 1043Became bishop of WorcesterSihtricc. 1043–1069Became a pirateGeoffreyc. 1082–c. 1088Wimundbefore 1096–1102Deposed by the Synod of Westminster in 1102Osbert?–before1131Robert of Plymptonc. 1131–1145?Rogerc. 1146Robert Postelc. 1146–1154Walter of Winchesterc. 1154–c. 1168Godfreyc. 1168–c. 1173Baldwin1174–1184Herbert1186–1200Andrew1200–1202Jordanc. 1203–1219/1220William of Kernit1220John of Rofa1224Alan of Cornwall1233Previously prior of TrescoAlford (1891) p. 123Robert of Kitecnol1248Thomas1248Henry of Northampton1257Philip Trencheful1259(vacant)1259Appointment lapsed to Walter Branscombe, Bishop of Exeter.Alexander (1937) p. 249Alured1260John Chubbe1262–1269Deposed by Bishop BranscombeAlford (1891) pp. 145–52Robert Colbern1270Robert Campbell/ChampeauxHoskins & Finberg (1952) p. 1981285–1325 (died)"Of the abbots in the later monastic period ... probably ... the greatest and wisest"(vacant)1325–1328Dispute between two candidates, Robert Busse and John Courtenay (eldest son of Hugh de Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon)Robert(?) BonusHoskins & Finberg (1952) p. 2021328—1333 (excommunicated)Bishop Grandisson said of him "That Abbot's name was Good, but he was a scoundrel, a near-heretic!"Hoskins & Finberg (1952) p. 206John Courtenay1334Suspended by Bishop Grandisson for maladministrationHoskins & Finberg (1952) p. 211Richard Esse1349Stephen Langdon1362Thomas Cullyng1380 or 1381The last of five abbots after Campbell who were all accused of waste, extravagance and neglecting their spiritual duties.John Mey20 July 1402Alexander (1937) p. 259Thomas MedeMarch 1422 – April 1442Alexander (1937) pp. 264–5Thomas Crispyn11 June 1442 – 5 April 1447Alexander (1937) p. 270William Pewe2 May 1447 – 26 December 1450John DynyngtonFebruary 1451 – December 1490Alexander (1937) p. 274Richard YemeFebruary 1491 – c. March 1492Alexander (1937) p. 281Richard Banham1492–1523Alexander (1937) p. 183John Peryn1523–1539Last abbotAlexander (1942) p. 198
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