[1][note 1] Originally intending to be a Cistercian monk, Robert set about being a hermit (although he had servants) and devoted his time to god.

[3][4] In 1216, King John is recorded as having instructed his constable in the West Riding, Brian de L'Isle, to award Robert with half a carucate of woodland as close as possible to his hermitage.

[5] However, the landowner William de Stuteville subjected Robert to attacks at his hermitage, so he sought refuge in a cave on the north bank of the River Nidd, just south of Knaresborough, where his brother paid to have a chapel built.

[6] In the 13th century, c. 1257, a priory of the Trinitarian order (or The Order of the Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives[note 2]) was founded at the site of the caves by Richard of Cornwall, and the monks inherited Robert of Knaresborough's hermitage and effects, which according to Hunter Blair was odd as "he, [Robert of Knaresborough] did not found any Trinitarian houses and does not appear to have had contact with the order during his lifetime.

"[9][10][11] The priory was the only Trinitarian house within the Yorkshire region, and was also conferred with the right of advowson upon the churches in Hampsthwaite, Fewston, Pannal and Whixley.