A quiet few years ensued, in which the Abbey’s endowments continued to grow: on 7th December 1323 at Belper, Edward II licensed the abbot to acquire lands and rents to the value of 100s per annum. 1327 was a little more eventful: Abbot John was the plaintiff in a suit against the bailiff of Ockbrook's accounts, and was present at Welbeck Abbey when Welbeck's abbot did obeisance to archbishop Melton.
Trouble loomed in 1330: a crown inquiry investigated the abbot's claim to free warren in his demesne lands and parks. He forfeited free warren at Bathley near Newark. However, all was not gloom: he had a papal mandate to provide Geoffrey de Bikleswade to a canonry in Lincoln.
Kirk Hallam church seems to have had quite a turn-over of vicars during this period: canon Henry de Nottingham served it from 1317 to 1322, canon Thomas de Kylborn from 1322 to his death in 1327, Robert de Roycestre from 1327 to his death in 1329, and Geoffrey de Bysegge from 1329 till his resignation in 1335.
Abbot John died 9th November 1333. In the site museum on the site of the Chapter House there are fragments of a graveslab: even 30 years ago it was possible to read a few words on these, which implied that this grave was either Abbot John’s or Abbot William de Horsley's. Sadly the fragments are no longer legible.
Abbot number 11: John Woodhouse
This second Abbot John in quick succession ruled for only 15 weeks, from May to August 1332, when he resigned his office. The only event on record in those weeks is a request from the king for help with the expenses of marrying his sister Eleanor to Reginald, Count of Guelders; the abbot did not comply. During this time, Walter de Thikhill was prior, and Thomas de Tikhil subprior. These two, plus canons Robert de Barton, Simon de Bredon and William de Horsley were involved in the election of said William as the next abbot.
Abbot number twelve: William de Horsley
Abbot William ruled for 21 years 41 weeks, from 14th August 1332 to March 1354. A record of his election dated 19 Sep 1332 has survived: it was supervised by the Abbots of Langdon Abbey in Kent and Halesowen Abbey in the West Midlands, and recorded by deputies of the abbot of Newhouse Abbey.
Some building work was done during Abbot William’s reign: a stone chamber was built at Stanley Grange, and the Decorated work in St Werburgh's chapel and the strengthening of the pillars of the crossing by partial re-casing probably date from this time.