Sybil Montagu, Prioress of Amesbury

Her vigorous government led to a few stormy years in the monastery, in the period when the conflict between Richard II and his eventual successor Henry IV came to a head.

Katherine had entered Bungay Priory in Suffolk, but at some point in 1376 or 1377 she absconded and was said to be "vagabond in secular attire in divers parts of the realm".

The historical records regarding Amesbury Priory speak in the 14th century of a male house of 12 priests referred to as 'canons' (i.e. canons regular).

Firstly, in May 1398, some seven years after her election as prioress, an inquiry was ordered by the King into the government of the priory with a view to reforming it according to the ordinances and constitutions.

[13] Before January 1399, Dame Sybil showed a decisive temperament by having the elderly Prior Robert Daubeneye thrown out of the monastery.

In the uproar of accusations and counter-accusations that followed, she emerges as high-handed and the mixed royal and ecclesiastical enquiries were favourable to the Prior and his reputation as a priest in good standing, though he was not reinstated but was ordered to receive a pension.

[14] The official investigations brought to light an attempt of Dame Sybil to pare down the number of canons from twelve to four, replacing them with secular priests.

[15] This was a delicate moment since in 1388 Richard II, to whom Sybil's male relatives were steadfastly loyal, had been deposed by Henry IV.

Her brother John had been heavily caught up in resistance to the new king, was imprisoned by a mob at Cirencester, and without trial beheaded on 7 January 1400, three months before the irruption at Amesbury.