In 1114 Freiston Priory of St James was founded by Alan de Creon for Benedictine monks – it became a monastic cell of Crowland Abbey in 1130.

[2] Between 1217 and 1232 the powerful Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester signed an agreement with the 56 free tenants of Freiston, who quite remarkably all had seals on the document.

[3] The number of seals could also suggest remarkably high literacy rates which were not previously thought to have existed in the 13th century.

The settlements of Haltoft End, 1 mile (1.6 km) north-north-west, and Scrane End (or Crane End), 1 mile (1.6 km) south from Freiston, lie within the parish[5] On its eastern side, Freiston parish adjoins The Wash. Freiston is the location of HM Prison North Sea Camp, a men's open prison.

[6] Freiston Grade I listed Anglican parish church is dedicated to St James.