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The term 'sanctuary cities' has been in the news a lot in the past few weeks, as places in the USA declare themselves to be havens for undocumented immigrants. Though 'sanctuary' has a history of meaning safety for the persecuted, it has an even longer history of meaning something rather different: refuge for criminals.
Rosalind Brown, a canon at Durham Cathedral, and historian John Jenkins explain how and why, for 1000 years, churches in England offered shelter to murders and thieves fleeing justice.
This episode was prompted by 99% Invisible's two-parter about the modern sanctuary movement. Listen to part I.
FURTHER INFO:
Take a look at Durham Cathedral's sanctuary knocker/ring. You could even buy yourself a (legally ineffective) replica.
Durham Cathedral starred in the film Elizabeth as Elizabeth's palace - and bits of Hogwarts in the first couple of Harry Potter films.
The role of the coroner in sanctuary - looks like a lot of admin.
Hot take from 1878 on the history of sanctuary.
The Old English term for sanctuary was 'grith'. 'Grith cities' don't sound quite as welcoming.
About 'frith', as in the frith stool. Here's one, in Hexham Abbey.
Read the transcript of this episode at theallusionist.org/transcripts/sanctuary.
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CREDITS:
Rosalind Brown is one of the canons at Durham Cathedral. Attend some events there, and go to see the Magna Carta on display this summer!
John Jenkins is a researcher on cathedrals and pilgrimage at the University of York. He tweets @armentarius.
This episode was produced by me, with music by Martin Austwick. Thanks to Catherine Hodgson and Greg Jenner.
Find me at facebook.com/allusionistshow, twitter.com/allusionistshow, twitter.com/helenzaltzman and instagram.com/helenzaltzman.
