The Abbess is the highest authority within the community, answering to the wider hierarchy of the Church. She has the right to command the obedience of any of the sisters, and to order the running of the House as she sees fit subject to the Rule. An abbess must have served as a nun of exceptional good standing for many years - in return she has more freedom and authority than almost any other woman in England.

The Prioress is second in authority only to the Abbess. She has day-to-day charge of disciplinary matters within the community, and is its public face when the Abbess is unavailable or when a matter does not warrant the Abbess’s attention.

The Treasuress is in charge of accounting the community’s finances; keeping track of its lands and rents. It is her responsibility to make sure that the House remains financially solvent and able to discharge its duties to the Sisters and to the wider community.

The Almoneress has two related responsibilities. Firstly, she is in charge of giving out alms to the local poor and needy. Secondly, she is in charge of welcoming guests and making sure they are looked after with suitable hospitality during their stay.

The Cellaress is in charge of food and drink. It is for her to make sure the sisters and their guests are appropriately fed. She is also responsible for ensuring that sisters who are restricted in their diet out of devotion (or for discipline) are suitably catered to at mealtimes. She coordinates the sisters who are acting as Kitcheners to serve each meal.

The Cantrix's role is to make sure the Offices are sung in good order and time by the Sisters. She makes sure the sisters assemble at the right times to recite the psalms, and aids and teaches them to sing them well.

The Sacrista has charge of the community’s sacred items: the cloths and candlesticks used in worship, and even the Holy Relics held in the House’s care.

The Chamberlain cares for the sisters’ clothing and daily items. She makes sure each has appropriate clothing provided, and sees to care and mending when required. She makes sure everyone has whatever they need (since, after all, they have no property).

Where they hold no named role within the community, the first and greatest role of the other nuns is to pray and sing the psalms. Beyond this, they are required simply to be holy in their behaviour and to keep the Rule.

The Novice Mistress is a nun in charge of the community’s novices. She trains and cares for them, and corrects them if they err, subject to the greater authority of the Prioress in grave disciplinary matters.

Sisters who are preparing to take vows, novices are still in the process of learning all that is required of them in their life in the community. The usual time to be a novice is one year, although it can extend to two years if she is finding it challenging.

Women who are hoping to become novices and then nuns, postulants must spend a few months living the life of a nun before they are allowed to fully join. By these means can both they and the Community check that they are suitable for the religious life.