[3] It is listed in the Boldon Book (1183): "Alan Bruntoft holds Edmundbires for his service in the forest”.

However, Bishop Hatfield's survey of c. 1382 shows that the land had been transferred to Durham Cathedral: “The Prior holds the vill of Edmundbires, sometime of Alan Bruntop, by forest service”.

[4] The village church, St Edmund's, has evidence of pre-Norman building,[5] but it mainly dates from the 12th century, with renovations from 1859 onwards.

[6] There is a list of rectors beginning with Richard de Kirkeby in 1275 and ending with John Durie, A. M., on 2 July 1629.

[7] The youth hostel (dated 1936 over the lintel) is made up of three houses built in the mid- to late 18th century.