Aldwin, the prior at Winchcombe near Tewkesbury, had been seized by the desire to visit the North and revive the tradition of learning there. In c 1078, with a donkey and a set of books, and accompanied by a few monks including Elfury and Reinfrid from Evesham, Aldwin trekked to Durham, singing psalms along the way.
Reinfrid elected to stay at Whitby, but the remainder lived among the ruins of Jarrow and Wearmouth for eight years until the new Bishop of Durham, William de St Calais transferred them to Durham to act as guardians to the body of St Cuthbert, and assist in the building of a church worthy of him. Thus was founded the great Abbey of Durham, of which the southerner Aldwin, 'patient in adversity, modest in prosperity, always yearning toward heavenly things', became the first prior (1083-87).