[1] The priory was home to a convent of Benedictine Nuns: it was dedicated to "St. Mary de Pratis" and was under the control of Darley Abbey, its parent house.

[2] The first Prioress appears to be named Emma; shortly after the Nunnery's foundation a warden was appointed, the first of which was William de Bussel.

[2] Part of the priory's income was five pounds paid every year from Nottingham farm rents on the orders of Henry III.

[2] Disagreement reached such a level that Roger Weseham, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield was forced to intervene in around 1250; he brokered an agreement that freed the Nuns at King's Mead (and their property) from control of the Abbot and Canons at Darley Abbey.

[1] A petition was put forward to the king by the priory citing poverty due to the heavy number of visitors they had to entertain.

[4] On 2 September 1327, King Edward III granted "his special protection" to the monastery for a period of 3 years (starting December 1327).

[2] The priory still seems to be in debt seven years after the royal protection was granted, as the nun's poverty is mentioned by the bishop in his letters appointing the new Prioress in December 1334.

[1] During the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509) the Abbot of Burton Abbey lodged a complaint at the Chancery Court against the Prioress of King's Mead, Isabel de Stanley.

[2] When confronted by the Abbot's bailiff, Prioress Isabel is reported to have said: "Wenes these churles to overlede me or sue the law agayne me?

[1] Whilst this work was being undertaken in March 1825, in an area beyond the just boundaries of the priory, workmen struck a stone coffin lying less than 2 ft under ground, containing the bones of a small woman.

[1] Between 1227 and 1243, Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent, donated 2 marks a year to "the nuns of St. Mary by Derby".

[2] In 1230 Lancelin FitzLancelin and his wife Avice donated 13 acres of land and a messuage at "Stokes", along with "300 sheep (and their lambs), 8 oxen, 6 cows, 30 goats and 20 pigs"; in return prayers were to be said for the donors and their family.

[2] Another seal dating from the 1461 (shaped as a pointed oval) depicts the Virgin Mary enthroned, with the Baby Jesus on her left knee.