[1] In territory formerly held by Scotland, the land was granted by Prince Henry and the building was made of stone from north of the Solway Firth.

[2] The abbey steadily became prosperous, acquiring lands in north Cumberland and undertaking reclamation work along the Solway.

Following violent storms which devastated Skinburness, both permissions were transferred to Newton Arlosh, where the abbey built a heavily fortified chapel of ease.

Archaeological excavations from 2006 onwards have shown that the monastic buildings extended to the south of the church, and followed the usual Cistercian pattern.

[4] The former abbey church underwent a series of structural accidents (such as the collapse of the tower in 1600) and alterations as a result of which it gradually shrank to comprise the first six bays of the nave, without aisles.