Prince David, prior to his ascension to the Scottish throne, had in 1118 established a foundation of canons regular of the order of St. Augustine at, what is now Jedburgh.

The foundation appeared to have the status of 'priory' in the early years and a man by the name of Daniel was in 1139 described as the Prior of Geddwrda.

The church was later raised to the status of monastery before becoming in the years prior to King David's death in 1153, probably in 1147, a fully fledged abbey and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

It must be mentioned that over the years, Jedburgh has been described by eighty-three different names or spellings.