Maughold parish church is believed to have been the site of a monastery founded by St Maughold. The existence of the monastery is inferred in Jocelin's 'Life of St Patrick', circa 1185, but this source is without historical foundation and the only reliable evidence is provided by the archaeological finds around Maughold village and churchyard. The collection of early cross-slabs from here, many of which appear to have originated from the churchyard, together with the 11th century foundation of the  parish church and the group of associated keeills in the area seem to confirm the existence of an important early Christian monastic settlement from the 7th to the 11th century.