Sanctuary!
As late as the fifteenth century, criminals on the run could find refuge in the precincts of England’s great churches.
before 1503
King Henry VII 1485-1509
As late as the fifteenth century, criminals on the run could find refuge in the precincts of England’s great churches.
before 1503
King Henry VII 1485-1509
From at least the time of King Ine of Wessex in 693, criminal first offenders fleeing to the protection of the Church could expect at least safe conduct out of the kingdom, and even a pardon. The custom persisted at Durham long into the fifteenth century, but was increasingly abused and records ended abruptly in 1503, during Henry VII’s reign.
abridged
AT Durham, [accused] persons who took refuge fled to the north door, and knocked for admission.* The large knocker still upon the north door, is believed to have been that which was used for the purpose.* There were two chambers over the north door in which men slept, for the purpose of admitting such fugitives at any hour of the night. As soon as any one was so admitted, the Galilee bell was immediately tolled, to give notice that some one had taken sanctuary. The offender was required to declare, before certain credible witnesses, the nature of his offence, and to toll a bell in token of his demanding the privilege of sanctuary.
Every one who had the privilege of Sanctuary was provided with a gown of black cloth, with a yellow cross, called St Cuthbert’s Cross,* upon the left shoulder. A grate was expressly provided near the south door of the Galilee,* for such offenders to sleep upon: and they had a sufficient quantity of provisions and bedding at the expense of the house for thirty-seven days.
* After a crime was reported, a posse made up of law officers and members of the public would set out, tasked with apprehending the criminal and bringing him before the courts. See Thomas Smith, one of Queen Elizabeth I’s diplomats, on raising the Hue and Cry. In the face of what too easily became vigilante justice, sanctuary was primarily intended as a way to ensure a fair trial once outraged feelings had cooled a little. It was especially appropriate for bewildered first offenders, the wrongly accused, and those who could demonstrate extenuating circumstances, though less deserving cases often presented themselves at the church door too.
* This was written in 1837. A replica was substituted in 1980, owing to wear and tear, and to repeated attempts to steal it; the twelfth-century original may still be viewed in the Cathedral’s museum in the old Prior’s Kitchen.
* St Cuthbert (?635-687) was a monk and briefly Bishop of Lindisfarne, a great miracle-worker both in his own lifetime and after. Durham Cathedral, which is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, was built around his shrine, keeping his feast day on March 20th. See posts tagged St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.
* At the far western end of the Cathedral (which like most churches is aligned east-west) stands the Galilee Chapel, burial place of St Bede (?672-735). It has two doors leading into the nave, one on the north side and one on the south.