Synod of Whitby

The Synod of Whitby was alledgedly called by King Oswiu of Northumbria in 663 AD and held in 664 at Saint Hilda's double monastery of Streaneschalch, at Whitby.

Among others in attendance was Saint Wilfrid (634-710). In fact his biography is the only source from an eyewitness, for this Synod ever occuring.

It constituted a milestone in the history of the church in Britain, as delegates from the North and the South came together to debate the controversy over the date of Easter, and whether the Celtic or Roman church should have ascendency over Northumbria.

The Venerable Bede described the proceedings in detail, but he did not write his version until seventy years after the events he purports to describe. The whole affair must be looked at askance. Especially as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle makes no mention whatsoever of this supposedly remarkable event.