In the reign of King Henry I (1100–1135) William Paynel founded a priory of Augustinian Canons at Drax.

[5] However, the inquisition post mortem for Richard Lely of Drax, held in 1422, indicates that his part of the land was not completely worthless, although the mill was ruined.

She was married to John Babthorpe in 1441 when witnesses to her age gave depositions at York Castle, and she recovered her property out of wardship.

[7] Read also funded the building of six almshouses in Drax for elderly people, stipulating that they should be for three men and three women.

It was the largest power station in the United Kingdom, producing around 8% of Britain's electricity, and was the second-largest coal-fired plant in Europe.