Abbot of Elwangen

Imperial Abbey (Prince-Provostry) of Ellwangen
Reichskloster (Fürstpropstei) Ellwangen
Prince-provostry of the Holy Roman Empire
1011–1802
Coat of arms
St. Vitus's Basilica
Capital		Ellwangen
Government		Imperial abbey Prince-provostry (from 1460)
Historical era		Middle Ages Early modern period
•	Founded	ca 764
•	Imperial immediacy	1011
•	Reichsfreiheit    confirmed	1347
•	Converted to    provostry	1460
•	Joined    Swabian Circle	1500
•	Joined    Catholic League	1609
•	Mediatised to    Württemberg	1802
Preceded by Succeeded by Duchy of Swabia Duchy of Württemberg
Today part of		Germany

Ellwangen Abbey (German: Kloster Ellwangen) was the earliest Benedictine monastery established in the Duchy of Swabia, at the present-day town of Ellwangen an der Jagst, Baden-Württemberg about 100 km (60 mi) north-east of Stuttgart.

According to the monastery chronicles authored by Abbot Ermanrich (d. 874), who became Bishop of Passau, the abbey was established in Alamannia about 764 by Herulph and his brother Ariolf, both documented as Chorbishops of Langres. There is however some evidence that the foundation dates back to 732. The first monks may came from the Abbey of St. Benignus at Dijon.

Ellwangen in its early days was home to Abbots Lindolf and Erfinan, who were respected authors. Abbot Gebhard wrote part of the Life of Saint Ulrich there, but died before completing it. Abbot Ermanrich (c. 845) wrote a biography of Saint Solus. The monk Adalbero was made Bishop of Augsburg in 894. Abbot Liutbert became Archbishop of Mainz, as also did Abbot Hatto (891). Saint Gebhard, Abbot of Ellwangen, became Bishop of Augsburg in 995. Abbot Milo about the middle of the tenth century was one of the visitors appointed for the visitation of the Abbey of St. Gall.