Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1905-08-05 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ANCIENT SANCTUARY.  One of the most interesting relics of by go days in the venerable Clathedral at Durham the remarkable knocker .rm the north door, round which many historical -assecia.tiona Diluter. bi mediaeval dayis the privilege or right, of eazto. tuary might be claimed by criminals floomg .from the hands of justice in any church, DA all these sacred buildinge were invested with the power of affording temporary reftr,o to those who sought it. But greater privileges attended this right of sanctuary in some places than is others, and Durham was specially safeguarded. The curious knocker, whieh in olden days was seized with such feverish haste by the tremb. ling fugitive, is still in extremely good preserve tion.• It is huge and ponderous, and made of bronze. It is suspended from the mouth of a grotesque monster. The hollow staring crivitiea which originally contained the eyeballs, made of enamel or composition, only add a fixed weird expression to the face, which is wrinkled and lined. The workmanship of the metal round the face is peculiar, and is so arranged as to represent hair growing from the head. To this identical time-honoured knocker fled many criminals, which, when mice raised between their hands, safeguarded them from the avenger, vrho ' often followed close behind; for a swift retribution overtook all those who dared in any way Ito violate the law of sanctuary by attempting to drag away or to touch their enemy when once he had gained his goal of security. Two 6ntall Chambers above the north door were set 'apart for *certain monks whose duty it was to be on the constant alert for the frithman," and to oren the door at °nee to admit him, when a bell would be rung to make it known that an offender was seeking the Shelter of "St. Cuthbert's Shrine." The sanctuary lasted 37 days, during which time food and clothing were provided. In order the better to secure the safety of the criminal, he had to wear a black gown, bearing a yellow cross on the left shoulder, but he was not supposed to venture outside the prescribed boundary which differed in various places. ' At Duirliain it was oonfined to the church itself and the surrounding sacred pre cinots; beyond that the furtive must not wander. At the expiration of the limited time he was formally conducted by constables to the Inearest port, and compelled to sail by the first available ship, and be was not to return to his country thenceforth. The monastic registers containing the names of these who sought sane' tuary between 1464 and 1524 appear to have been carefully kept. each entry being in Lakin. Many and varied were the crimes for which they sought refuge, a large number being for murder; but oattle-stealers and thieves also availed themsolves of the protection offered them by the ancient charter in the grand Cathedral.-4. G. Mann, 5, Sutton-street, Durham.  The cheapest holiday—a course of Scott's Emulsion. Braces you after long spell of trying work in hot weather. If waiting for your ho z taks Scott's to tide over the interval. Take Soctt's before your holiday to give you strength and keenness to enjoy it from the very first day. The only form of cod liver oil fit for summer use achieved by Scott p.rocesF. (used in Scott's Emulsion and in no other). Try it for taste and smell. Send 4d (for postage) and mention this paper; sample bottle and information promptly sent. Scott and 13owne, Ltd., 10-11, StonecutterLondon, E.C.