abbess

Maria sings "My Favorite Things" in the abbey to Mother Abbess, not to the children.

Heloise, abbess of the Paraclete, died; celebrated as the mistress of Abelard, and for her learning.

The portrait of an abbess is to be seen in the left-hand corner; above is a row of ten figures—saints, bishops, and holy women.

Bishop Fox in his injunctions in 1507 forbade sundry priests to hold any communication with the abbess or with any of the nuns.

A true mother in God the abbess proved, and a dutiful and loving daughter was Æthelflæd.

Sometimes the abbess was forbidden to take into the convent more than a certain number of nuns.