Sanctuary!
The knocker on the north door of Durham Cathedral, known as the Sanctuary Knocker, played an important part in the Cathedral’s history. Those who ‘had committed a great offence,’ such as murder in self-defence or breaking out of prison, could rap the knocker and appeal for Sanctuary. The fugitive was then admitted to the Monastery and given sanctuary for a maximum of thirty seven days during which time he had to choose between trial and voluntary exile. If he chose the latter, he was escort....
