Alma Mater
Run 3: 26th-29th March 2026
Joan
the Abbess
Age:
50s
Psalm 78: And he fed them in the innocence of his heart; and he led them forth by the skillfulness of his hands.
Themes:
Leadership; indecisiveness; ill health (recent)
You are the Abbess of Whitwood; the leader and mother of the community. For more than 10 years, you have seen yourself as the guide to the other Sisters. A calm hand, gentle, allowing all to find their path to spiritual nourishment under your supervision. You know that as long as you “lead them beside still waters”, they should have all they need (Psalm 23).
You are from a family of low nobility. Your family, by long tradition, sends its youngest daughter as a novice to Whitwood and you were no exception. This must have been the will of God, for in this Abbey you have found a wealth of sisterly companionship and support, your fellows ever ready to buoy you up when despair set in or faith flagged. You always felt yourself to be popular with the other sisters, and that they often offered you positions of responsibility and authority. Nothing made you feel better then - makes you feel better now - than seeing the happy smile of a Sister. Nothing makes you feel worse than seeing a sister in despondence or despair - you fear the spreading rot of the sin of acedia (low morale, ennui) which you know has been the downfall of many a great community.
Your first role of real responsibility at Whitwood was Novice Mistress. You guided many women into their profession of vows, always smiling as you watched them do so. Ten years ago, the former Abbess Henrietta died. You and Sybil were both candidates for election as the new Abbess. You thought yourself popular with the sisters, but feared that they would prefer the high social standing and courtly manner of Sybil. Then Maud threw her support behind you, and soon the other sisters agreed to your election. Sybil has never since treated you with quite the easy manner and courtesy she once did.
Role:
You are the highest authority within the community, answering to the wider hierarchy of the Church - most directly the Bishop of Lincoln. You have the right to command the obedience of any of the sisters, and to order the running of the House as you see fit subject to the Rule. An abbess must have served as a nun of exceptional good standing for many years - in return you have more freedom and authority than almost any other woman in England.
Your way of using your authority is to delegate and compromise. Although in theory you could overrule any other sister, or order any penance or punishment you wish within the Rule and the law, you are not interested in closely examining the actions of the other Ordinaries of the Abbey (Chamberlain, Treasuress etc) - you simply let them get on with their areas of responsibility, and only rarely intervene. The main time you would step in is if you feel a punishment is too harsh and is making someone too unhappy.
Connections:
Maud. the Prioress
How would you manage without Maud? The two of you have always seen eye to eye on matters of religion, and when the duties of Abbess become uncomfortable or exhausting, she is always present and ready to step in. You do worry about her approach to discipline though. When you see tears shining in the eyes of some sister being punished for a wrongdoing, you cannot help but question if the punishment is really bringing them closer to God. Maud often looks a little upset when you step in, but you are Abbess after all!
Bess, the Novice Mistress
Secrets:
You promised God you will step down as Abbess
When you were sick last Easter, you prayed to the Alma Mater and swore that should you survive you would retire to a more prayerful life before Lady Day next year. Although you meant your promise when you made it, you are not sure who else among the sisters could bear the burden of leadership were you to lay it down. Besides, you are not sure of the effect of a change of leadership on the forthcoming inspection.
You had a dream about the abbey’s downfall