Ancient Diocese of Stavanger

The former Catholic Diocese of Stavanger in Norway included the modern counties of Rogaland and Agder together with the regions of Valdres and Hallingdal and the parishes of Eidfjord and Røldal from Hordaland.

The bishopric was formed early in the 12th century out of the southern portion of the Diocese of Bergen, which had included until then the whole of Western Norway (Gulating).

With the money given him in 1128 by King Sigurd Jorsalefarer, for allowing that monarch to marry one Cecilia during the lifetime of his consort Queen Malmfrid, Reinald began the cathedral and founded the chapter.

He was soon succeeded by Botolph Asbjornssön (1355 – 1381), who gave his library to the chapter and compiled a Domesday Book (Jordebog) for the diocese.

Bishop Audum Eivindssön (1426 – 1455) built many churches and gave the episcopal tithes of Valdres to the Brigittines of Munkeliv Abbey near Bergen in 1441 in their hour of need.