Ebchester was the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery founded by Aebba, a nun from Coldingham.

Possible site of a monastery founded circa 660 by Ebba, daughter of King Aethelfrid, but destroyed 875 by the Vikings. A hermitage or chapel is referred to in the mid 12th century, possibly on the site of the nunnery. This hermitage or chapel is referred to again in 1241 as the Chapel of St Mary, Yareshale, (or Yareshaugh). In the reign of Bishop Langley, 1406-37, it is referred to as a private chapel of the bishops of Durham.