Sanctuary

Right of

1) Temporary protection of fugitives from pursuit, pending investigation or exile. By reaching a church or certain land under church jurisdiction, a fugitive from the king's justice could claim refuge for forty days after which they had to leave its safety and submit to justice or abjure the realm as an outlaw. Some church buildings had large Sanctuary Rings or door knockers. Some had marker posts showing the extent of the safe area.

This right was widely abused by fugitives and their pursuers. It was later repealed. See also Asylum.

The rule that allowed criminals not accused of infamy or felonies against Church property to seek refuge against the hew and cry issued when a felony was discovered. In most ecclesiastical properties, so long as no crime was committed against the church, a criminal could seek refuge for 40 days, after which they could be removed from the premises. In England, certain abbeys had an extended right of sanctuary, extending about for a league or more, with no limit on time. At these abbeys wanted persons could remain indefinitely, part of the abbey community.

2) the part of the church containing the high altar