According to Bede, Medeshamstede was founded by a man named Sexwulf, who was also its first abbot [REF].
A charter, dated 664 AD, records the gift by King Wulfhere of Mercia of "some additions" to the endowment for the monastery of Medeshamstede, already begun by his deceased brother King Peada of the Middle Angles, and by King Oswiu of Northumbria [REF].