[1] The priory of Harrold was probably founded on land which was then a part of the honour of Huntingdon, and held by Sampson le Fort of the Scottish kings.

Sampson le Fort's charter was probably confirmed first by David I of Scotland and his son Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, and certainly afterwards by Malcolm IV, William the Lion, Simon, Earl of Northampton, and Robert Bruce; while Baldwin des Ardres, Count of Guisnes, granted to the nuns the church of Stevington before 1153, and the name of Roger de Quincy, constable of Scotland, appears later.

[2] Before the year 1181 however the prior and canons had ceased to exist, and the nuns were making efforts to free themselves from immediate subjection to the abbot of Arrouaise; and after appeals from both parties to Pope Alexander III the matter was finally referred to the arbitration of Hugh of Lincoln.

Nor is it easy to discover whether in giving up their direct connection with the abbey of Arrouaise, they ceased at once to observe the Arrouasian rule and to wear the habit of that order; or whether, as seems more likely, the change was later.

The chartulary in the British Museum, which contains an abstract of the charters in the possession of the priory in the reign of Henry V, shows various small grants of lands and tenements in Bedfordshire, and a few suits concerning churches.

No account of this visitation is preserved, nor are any others recorded; only in 1369 Bishop Gynwell appointed Dame Katherine of Tutbury (afterwards prioress) to administer the revenues of the priory during vacancy, and to reform excesses.

[2] The priory was endowed by Sampson le Fort with the churches of St. Peter, Harrold, and Brayfield, Northants, with their appurtenances, and a few acres of land besides.

; the first valuation after the dissolution, in 1536, amounted to £57 10s., including the four rectories mentioned above, with small parcel of land, rents and tenements in the counties of Bedford, Huntingdon and Buckingham.

[3] The prioresses of Harrold were:[2] :The seal of the priory represented St. Peter, standing, in mitre and chasuble, two keys in the right hand and a crosier in the left.