[3] The early Bishops of Moray had no fixed cathedral, moving between the churches of Spynie, Birnie and Kinneddar.

[6] The cathedral of the see of Moray was moved from Kinneddar to Spynie by Bishop Richard's successor Bricius de Douglas as part of a radical reorganisation of the diocese.

[6] A papal bull was issued by Pope Innocent III in 1207 confirming Spynie as the seat of the cathedral[5] and explaining that this decision had been taken on the advice of the "chapter and other wise laymen" on the basis that Spynie was conveniently placed for administering the diocese, but also not in a dangerously exposed location.

[4] A new constitution was introduced based on that of Lincoln Cathedral that established a small chapter of eight canons, including a dean, a precentor, a treasurer, a chancellor and an archdeacon.

[6] On 19 July 1224, however, Bricius' successor Andreas de Moravia moved the seat of the diocese 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to the south to Elgin, citing Spynie's exposure to the dangers of war, its isolation and the problems of supplying it with the needs of divine worship.