John Horsley  ruled 26 years 45 weeks and a few days from June *1303 (WARD) *1304 (PAGE) *1305 (H83) to May *1329 (WARD) *1331 (PAGE) *1332 (H83, M).
 
Summoned by Edward II in an attempt to impose clerical taxation twice in 1307, in 1309, 1311 and twice in 1312.

Abbot was heavily involved in the dispute over the payment of taxes by English abbots to foreign superiors.  This was prohibited by Edward I in 1307 (C41) in the Statute of Carlisle (C41E). A General Chapter at Premontre in 1316 agreed to demand subsidies from the English abbeys only when absolutely necessary, and with the English abbots' consent:  it was also agreed that only Visitors need attend the annual General Chapter (C41); and that if Father Abbot chose to visit, only his bare personal expenses were to be borne for him (C41E, which has further details of the dispute).
 
1311 he was one of the abbots who excommunicated Halesowen Abbey (West Midlands) for rebellion (C41), the others being the abbots of Langdon and Welbeck (details in C41E, including the fact that Halesowen threw the 3 out!).  Abbot John had shared in the general excommunication, contributed to the cost of appeal and set his seal to the final document, witnessed by 2 of his canons and 2 laymen (C41E).

Abbot was asked to try to reconcile Egglestone Abbey (Yorks) and a former abbot (William de C.) whom the canons were illtreating (C41) and had banished, because he was busy at Dale with Bishop Walter de Langton (C41E).  Dale Abbey abbot tried to persuade the abbot of Easby (Yorks) to do the job, but he refused.  Dale Abbey abbot tried to have William de C. sent to Welbeck Abbey (Notts) but Welbeck would not accept the transport costs (C41);  neither would Egglestone (C41E).  In 1313 the Abbot of Newhouse (Lincs) sent him to T.... Abbey:  this might be Torre (Devon), Titchfield (Hants) or Tupholme (Lincs).

1316 made Visitor of the nunneries at Brodholme (Notts) and Irford (Lincs).  Letter sent by Abbot of Barlings begging him to attend a meeting at Welbeck on 4th October.  The Welbeck abbot accused Dale’s messenger (probably Henry de Nottingham) of threatening him; abbot John stuck to his guns (C41E)

7th December 1323 at Belper, Edward II licensed the abbot to acquire lands and rents to the value of 100s per annum (C41) in spite of Statute of Mortmain (C41E).  Afterwards vacated and surrendered because the said abbot and convent on 30 June 15 Richard II (1392) acquired land and rents in full satisfaction of the said sum, therefore these letters were cancelled (COX18)