Jedburgh is one of the four great abbeys established in the Scottish Borders in the 12th century. Founded initially as a priory by David I in 1138, it was later promoted to abbey status in 1154.

The brethren of Augustinian monks are thought to have originated from St.Quentin Abbey, near Beauvais in France. Of all the monastic orders, the Augustinians were the most involved with the secular world. They provided priests who dealt with the public in the churches. During the Middle Ages, the abbey was often embroiled in conflicts between Scotland and England. The end finally came with the Scottish Protestant Reformation of 1560.