1450 John Green elected abbot (C41).

1475:  21 canons including abbot, novices and 6 canons serving churches (THOMPSON).

1478:  24 ditto;  1482:  16 canons plus 3 novices;  1488: 16 canons plus 3 novices;  1491:  24 ditto;  1494:  22 ditto;  1497:  23 ditto;  1500: 22 (THOMPSON).

1512 It was recognised by the pope and king as head house of the order in England.

At the surrender, 20 Jun 1538, there were 20 canons besides the abbot;  the deed was signed by the abbot and 17 canons, the 3 who did not sign being absent at granges. Pensions were granted to the abbot and 15 of the canons.  Those serving churches were doubtless excluded from the list  (KNOWLES).
The site was sold to Richard Whalley of Shelford for £500 (THOMPSON).
Net income c. 1535:  £249

It became the richest Premonstratensian foundation in England (C/WC).
Canons were summoned by William de Grendon for attempt No.3 at founding Depedale Priory.  They sent 5canons including William de Hagnaby (WARD).  William de Hagnaby was a canon at Welbeck, and prior at Depedale Priory when Thomas de Musca took the habit (CLARK).  

Abbots:
2. Adam;  3.  Richard c. 1196, probably died in the 1220s;  4.  William of Croxton before 1229, last mentioned 3 Dec 1247;  5.  Hugh in 1262 and 1263, last mentioned 1263;  6.  Thomas Sutton in 1281 and 1282, sent to Norway to bring the heir to the Scots throne to England, last mentioned 1309;  7.  John Dugmanton;  8.  John Cesterfield;  9.  William Kendale resigned 1322;  10.  John Notingham;  11.  William Aslakton;  12.  Robert Spaldyng.  Plague in 1349 killed 3 canons.  13.  John Wirsop in Oct 1349;  14.  Hugh Langeley died c. 1369;  15.  George Gamelston;  16.  John Baukewell, under whom Welbeck became briefly the head of the Order in England;  17.  John Norton died 1450;  18.  John Grene;  19.  William Burton, a bad man sent to Barlings for punishment;  20.  John Acaster;  21.  Thomas Wither;  22.  Robert May;  23.  Thomas Wilkynson.  At this time the abbey was worth twice as much as any other English monastery.  24.  John Maxe, under whom there were great irregularities at an election (details in THOMPSON);  25.  Richard Bentley.
Total income in 1291:  over £108 (THOMPSON).

An ordinal was drawn up in 1294:  a MS copy by St John Hope existed when Thompson was writing.  Statuta et Summarium Consuetudinarii Ordinis Praemonstratensis.