Newminster Abbey

The year after its foundation, the abbey (at that time only a group of timber buildings) was burned in an attack by Scottish raiders.

The abbey construction resumed and in 1159 Abbot Robert died and was buried beneath the high altar.

The abbey was located a short distance to the west of Morpeth, on the boundary between the lands of Ranulph de Merlay and Bertram of Mitford.

Both these minor barons, and also D'Umfraville of Prudhoe, Lord of Redesdale, were significant benefactors in the abbey's early years.

As a result, by 1240 the abbey possessed lands extending to Benton-on-Tyne where they had fisheries, to Cambois on the east coast where they had saltpans, and to Kidland on the Scottish border, where they annually led sheep to pasture during the summer months.