The Sanctuary Ring

The right of claiming ‘sanctuary’ or protection in a religious building dates back to ancient times. Fugitives would usually be protected from the law for 40 days, before having to either face trial or go into exile for the rest of their lives, unless they were granted a royal pardon. At Durham, the protection only lasted 37 days – a time limit apparently set by Saint Cuthbert himself when he appeared in a vision to a monk. The right of sanctuary was abolished in England in 1624.

Although it is often called a ‘sanctuary knocker’, the Durham Sanctuary Ring was not used in this way. There is no evidence of a ‘knocking plate’ having been attached to the North door, and anyone trying to use the ring this way would have badly bruised their fingers! Instead, a monk was stationed on watch in a small room above the door, and as soon as he saw someone grasp the Ring he would ring a bell to declare that sanctuary had been granted.

When a fugitive claimed sanctuary at Durham, they would be given a black gown with a yellow cross on the shoulder, marking them out as under the protection of the Church and Saint Cuthbert. They were housed in a small room below the South West tower of the Cathedral, and given food and drink. After 37 days, the fugitive had to decide whether to face trial, or go into exile.

Most fugitives at Durham claimed sanctuary either after committing murder or theft. If they chose exile, the person had to confess their crime and swear to leave the country, never to return. The Royal Coroner, a legal official, would decide which port they had to leave from, and they were given a set amount of time to reach there and leave, travelling on foot. Most fugitives were sent to the port of Hartlepool, about 20 miles away. However, there is a record of one fugitive who was sent to Dover, 350 miles away. They would have had to travel about 30 miles per day, on foot, to reach it in time!