also 7 abbatship. [f. ABBOT + -SHIP.] The office or rule of an abbot; abbacy; abbatial term of office.
1495. Vitas Patrum (W. de Worde), I. clviii. 163 b. All the Religious that so besily desyred her to take upon her the auctorytee of the abbotshypp.
1560. J. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 348 a. In steade of one bishoppricke, which they left, they had of them again many abbotships, or such other like promotions.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 114. Richlieu … confer’d upon him the abbatship of Charroux.
1872. Spectator, 6 April, 444. The last years of John of Whethamstede’s first abbotship were not passed without the accustomed miscellaneous litigations.
