ɐ smˈɔːl nˈʌmbɚɹ ʌvðə lˈɑːɹdʒɚ ænd mˈoʊst pɹɛstˈɪdʒəs ɪstˈæblɪʃmənts hæd ðə ɹˈæŋk ʌv pɹˈɪnsli ˈæbiz fˈuːəstsˌæbteɪ, ænd wɜː hˈɛdᵻd baɪ ɐ pɹˈɪnsˈæbət ɔːɹ ɐ pɹˈɪnspɹˈɑːvɑːst fˈuːəstˌæbt, fˈuːəstpɹˌɑːpst, wɪð stˈæɾəs kˈɑːmpɚɹəbəl tə ðæt ʌv pɹˈɪnsbˈɪʃəps.
A small number of the larger and most prestigious establishments had the rank of princely abbeys (Fürstsabtei), and were headed by a prince-abbot or a prince-provost (Fürstabt, Fürstpropst), with status comparable to that of Prince-Bishops.