Reinfrid

  Noted events in his life were:

• Background Information. ⁸⁹⁷
Reinfrid was the father of Domesday tenant, Fulco Fitz Reinfrid. Reinfrid had served as a soldier in the conqueror's army in the northern campaign. He became a Benedictine monk at Evesham. He returned to Yorkshire in 1074 and re-established Whitby abbey, and was the first prior.

Reinfrid came to visit Whitby with Aldwin, prior of Winchcombe Abbey, in Gloucestershire, who desired to visit sites of ancient monasteries in the North mentioned by Bede. Alwin found at Evesham Abbey on his way, two monks who readily joined him, "Elfwy and one, who could not even read, named Reinfrid." Arriving at York, they applied to Hugh fitz Baldric, the sheriff who was probably known or remembered by Reinfrid, for an escort to new castle.

Once they arrived at there destination, and Aldwin, assisted by bishop Walcher, resuscitated Bede's monastery at Jarrow. Reinfrid came to Whitby and succeeded, with the help of Earl Hugh and William de Perci, in re-establishing the monastery of St. Hilda where he remained prior. About 1083, he was died in an accident at Orm's bridge over the Derwent. His body was carried to Hackness and he was buried in the grave yard there.

Sources cited: Simeon of Durham, History of Kings, anno 1074, and History of the Church of Durham, chapters 56 and 57, Old Mon. i. 73
~Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, Vol. V., p. 302