He wrote a history of the abbey entitled Historia de Rebus gestis Glastoniensibus, which exists in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, possibly the author's own copy.
He was, therefore, a member of the fraternity during part of that period of difficulty and discord which followed the annexation of the abbey to the see of Wells by Bishop Savaric, a proceeding which brought on Glastonbury heavy expense and loss of property, and which endangered its independence.
He relates the history of these troubles at considerable length, and says in his preface that his object in writing his book was to incite his readers to protect or to increase the prosperity of his church, which once enjoyed privileges above all others, but was then bereft of her liberties and possessions.
[1] Adam was cellarer to the monastery, and the entry with which he opens the list of good deeds done by Abbot William Vigor, stating that inprimis he added to the strength of the beer, possibly shows that the writer entered with some zest into the details of his office.
When Robert died in 1274, the monks tried to keep his death secret, avowedly because it happened at Eastertide, but doubtless from the more cogent reason that they desired time to secure the recognition of their immediate dependence on the crown.
Adam, however, was not daunted, and on behalf of the prior, who apparently was absent at the time, and of all the convent, appealed in set terms against this usurpation.
He says that after that event Abbot John was summoned by the king to the funeral of his mother, Eleanor of Provence, which was performed at Ambresbury on the festival of the Nativity of the B. V. Mary, 8 September 1291.