Seeking Sancturary

In the days before a police force, seeking sanctuary saved innocent lives. People accused of a crime could go to a holy place and be given protection from being killed before there had been a trial. You can read about it in the Bible (The Bible, Exodus chapter 21 verses 13 - 14).

In Britain some churches were places where people could seek sanctuary. Once there the accused could stay for up to 40 days, and they had to either stand trial, or say they were guilty, lose everything they owned and leave the country forever - or until the king said they could come back. People given sanctuary had to stay in the church - they were not allowed more than 50 paces away from the door.

In 1243 John de Rechich was given sanctuary at St. Andrew's Priory, Stogursey in Somerset - and then ran away before his trial. The Benedictine monks there were in trouble for not keeping their side of the agreement and had to pay a big fine.

To make sure it never happened again they fixed a big iron ring at the front of the church, and anyone given sanctuary was chained to it where everyone could see them!