Christian of Whithorn

Christian of Whithorn was Bishop of Whithorn (1154–1186), the second incumbent of that Episcopal See since it had been resurrected by King Fergus of Galloway earlier in the 12th century.

It has been suggested by some scholars that Christian had been a Cistercian monk, possibly one of the brethren at Holm Cultram in Cumberland.[1] Christian was consecrated as Bishop of Whithorn in December 1154.[2] Christian was the successor of Gilla Aldan. Christian spent his first few years as Bishop of Whithorn under the reign of Fergus, King of Galloway. However, when Fergus passed power on to his two sons, Uchtred and Gilla Brigte, it was the former with whom Christian spent his time, that is until Uchtred's death at the hands of Gilla Brigte's son in 1174. Christian was a frequent witness to Uchtred's charters, and even appears alongside Uchtred in a charter of King Máel Coluim IV of Scotland.[3] Indeed, Christian and Uchtred together brought areas such as Desnes Ioan outside of the control of the Bishopric of Glasgow into the control of Whithorn.[4]

There is strong cumulative evidence that Christian was an English nominee, and indeed, Christian was consecrated on exactly the same day that King Henry II of England received his coronation.[5] Christian firmly maintained the position of Whithorn as a suffragan of York. This was in contrast to the stances of the other "Scottish" bishoprics, who firmly rejected the pretensions of the two English archbishops to control the Scottish church. Indeed, Christian was the only "Scottish" bishop to attend the English episcopal Council at London in 1176–1177.

In contrast to his relations with Uchtred, Christian's relations with Gilla Brigte seem to have been strained. Reginald of Durham reported that Christian was persecuted by "a certain powerful man",[6] and this man can only have been Gilla Brigte, in whose lands Whithorn actually lay. For most of his time as bishop, Christian predominantly resided in Cumberland, perhaps indicating the hostility of Gilla Brigte.[3]

He died on 7 October 1186, at Holm Cultram, where he was buried.

Notes

  1. ^ Oram, Lordship, pp. 176, 188–89, n. 60.
  2. ^ Oram, Lordship, p. 176.
  3. ^ a b Oram, Lordship, p. 178.
  4. ^ Oram, Lordship, pp. 176–77.
  5. ^ Oram, Lordship, p. 181–82.
  6. ^ Reginald of Durhman, Vita Godrici Heremitae, (Surtees Society, 1848), pp. 258–59; Oram, Lordship, pp. 177, 189, n. 67.

References

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Gilla Aldan		 Bishop of Whithorn
1154–1186		 Succeeded by
John

Pre-Reformation bishops of Galloway, x 1128–1560
Gille Aldan · Christian of Whithorn · John of Whithorn · Walter of Whithorn · Gilbert of Glenluce · Odo Ydonc · Henry of Holyrood · Thomas de Kirkcudbright · Simon de Wedale · Michael MacKenlagh · Thomas MacDowell · Adam de Lanark · Oswald of Glenluce · Ingram de Ketenis · Thomas de Rossy · Elisaeus Adougan · Gilbert Cavan · Thomas de Buittle · Alexander Vaus · Thomas Spens · Thomas Vaus · Ninian Spot · George Vaus · James Beaton · David Arnot · Henry Wemyss · Andrew Durie · Alexander Gordon

Post-Reformation bishops of Galloway, 1560–1689
Alexander Gordon · John Gordon · Roger Gordon · George Gordon · Vacant (1588–1605) · Gavin Hamilton · William Couper · Andrew Lamb · Thomas Sydserf · Vacant (1638–1661) · James Hamilton · John Paterson · Arthur Rose · James Aitken · John Gordon
Italics indicate non-consecrated, titular or doubtful bishops.