In the sanctuary at Beverley, offenders were treated apparently with still greater kindness.* They were received there with humanity, and during thirty days had their food provided in the Refectory, and, if they were persons of any distinction, had a lodging in the Dormitory, or in a house within the precincts. At the end of the time, their privilege protected them to the borders of the county: and they could claim the same security a second time under the like circumstances. But if any one’s life was saved a third time by the privilege of sanctuary, he became permanently a servant to the Church.
The general privilege of sanctuary was intended to be only temporary.* Within forty days after a felon or murderer had taken refuge, he was to appear before the coroner, clothed in sackcloth, and there confess his crime, and abjure the realm.* If an offender did not make this confession and abjuration within the forty days, and continued in the sanctuary, any person who furnished him with provisions was guilty of felony.
abridged
* The Minster at Beverley is the burial place of St John of Beverley (?-721), a contemporary of St Cuthbert who was also credited with several miracles. His feast day is May 7th. See posts tagged St John of Beverley.
* According to fishmonger and legal scholar Andrew Horn (?1275–1328), it was also intended for “offenders who, by mischance, fall into an offence mortal [i.e. liable to the death penalty] out of sanctuary, and for true repentance run to monasteries and commonly confess themselves sorrowful and repent.” On the other hand, “if he be a common thief, robber, murderer, night-walker, and be known for such a one”, or if he should break out of sanctuary to commit an offence, then he could be plucked from the church precincts without violating any legal or sacred principle. From the time of Richard II (r. 1377-1399) both London and Rome began to disqualify more classes of offender from claiming sanctuary, and under Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547) the scope was progressively narrowed further. James I (r. 1603-1625) abolished the privilege altogether in 1624.
* That is, he must promise to go into exile and never return. Returning to the country after claiming sanctuary for a capital offence was one of those crimes for which sanctuary could not be claimed a second time.