Anglo-Saxon Diocese of Whithorn

Christianity flourished in Galloway in the 6th century[1] and there was possibly a 6th-century Magnum Monasterium, or Monastery of Rosnat in Whithorn during this time.

York resisted this development, notably by establishing a subordinate bishopric in Whithorn, which at that time was under Northumbrian rule.

The seventh century creation of Whithorn briefly took the number of bishoprics in the north of Northumbria to four[6] before returning to the eighth century pattern of Lindisfarne, Hexham and Whithorn.

In his Deeds of the Bishops of England (1125), William of Malmesbury states that the diocese failed due to incursions by the Picts and Scots.

[8] John Godfrey holds that the Anglo-Saxon stone crosses at Aberlady and Abercorn were products of the Diocese of Whithorn.