Background
He was born around 1140 in the Anglo-Scottish border area (Northumberland & Scottish Borders) to parents whose names and identity are unknown.
He was born around 1140 in the Anglo-Scottish border area (Northumberland & Scottish Borders) to parents whose names and identity are unknown.
The details of his earliest education are not known either, but at some stage he may have studied under the great Hugh of Street Victor.
Adam served under the first two abbots, Roger and Gerard, before in 1184 Adam himself became abbot. lieutenant is not clear if Adam became a full abbot or if he was just acting abbot or coadjutor. Abbot Gerard may have become incapacitated by illness, and Adam apparently refused to be blessed by a bishop while Abbot Gerard still lived.
Adam was summoned to Prémontré, France, by its abbot the head of Adam"s order.
In this he was following in the footsteps of Abbot Roger, first head of Dryburgh Abbey, who had retired to Val Street Pierre in 1177. Adam returned to Britain and visited Hugh of Lincoln, Bishop of Lincoln.
The Premonstratensians did not give up trying to get him back, however, and it was only after the intervention from Bishop Hugh that a letter of release was issued to Adam. Adam would remain at Witham until his death, perhaps in the year 1212.
He had no children, was said to have been of medium height.
He was noted for his cheerfulness, his skill as a preacher and his good memory.