The Croyland Chronicle (1144-1486), an important source for medieval historians, is believed to be the work of some of the monastery's inhabitants.

The town was nearly destroyed by fire (1469-1476), but the abbey tenants were given money to rebuild it. By virtue of his office the abbot had a seat in parliament, but the town was never a parliamentary borough. Abbot Ralph Mershe in 1257 obtained a grant of a market every Wednesday, confirmed by Henry IV