Premonstratensians

Premonstratensians (also known as the ‘white canons’ or ‘Norbertines’) were founded at Prémontré (in north-eastern France) in 1120 by St Norbert who, after his conversion, was a canon at Xanten (his birthplace) before becoming a wandering preacher. The early community was strongly eremitical in tone and followed an austere interpretation of the Augustinian rule, heavily influenced, however, by the Cistercians. The first house of canons was established in England in 1143 at Newhouse and by the dissolution there were 35 English communities, one in Wales, and several in Scotland, including Dryburgh.