The century began in the reign of abbot number eight, John de Lincoln, but his reign was short-lived, ending in 1303.

Abbot number nine:  Richard de Normanton
Abbot Richard ruled for just one year 38 weeks, from September 1303 to June1305. He too was summoned by Edward I in an attempt to impose clerical taxation, in 1305, and in his time also the abbey was ordered to pray for the soul of Queen Joanna of France.

Abbot number ten:  John Horsley
Abbot John ruled for 26 years 45 weeks and a few days from June1305 to May 1332.

Taxation issues dogged his early years: he 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. A General Chapter at Prémontré in 1316 agreed to demand subsidies from the English abbeys only when it was absolutely necessary, and with the English abbots' consent: it was also agreed that only Visitors need attend the annual General Chapter. Abbot John was also summoned by Edward II in an attempt to impose clerical taxation, twice in 1307, in 1309, 1311 and twice in 1312. It is recorded that in around 1309, the abbot’s agent was one Henry de N.H..

Abbot John and his canons seem to have exercised quite an important ministry in wider Premonstratensian circles than just their home abbey. In March 1310 or 11, some canons including Robert de Barton witnessed the ratification of the English abbots’ appeal against the abbot of Prémontré. In 1311 Abbot John was one of the abbots who excommunicated the abbot and a canon of Halesowen Abbey and an abbot from Welbeck Abbey for rebellion. He was also asked to try to reconcile Egglestone Abbey in Yorkshire and a former abbot (William de C.) whom the canons were ill-treating. Abbot John tried to persuade the abbot of nearby Easby to do the job, but he refused. Abbot John then tried to have William de C. sent to Welbeck Abbey but Welbeck would not accept the transport costs. In 1313 the Abbot of Newhouse Abbey sent William de C. to T.  Abbey: this might be Torre Abbey in Devon, Titchfield Abbey in Hampshire, Tupholm Abbey in Lincolnshire, or even Talley Abbey in South Wales. In 1316 Abbot John was made Visitor of the nunneries at Brodholme Priory in Nottinghamshire and Irford Priory in Lincolnshire.