Historic%20Yorkshire

CHAPTER XXI.
BEVERLEY SANCTUARY.
HE institution of places of protectionknown as
sanctuaries dateback to an early period. We
find it recorded in the Bible that Moses, in
pursuance of Divine direction, appointed
cities of refuge, " that the slayer might flee
thither which should kill his neighbour unawares
and hated him not in timespast; and that fleeing
to oneof these cities might live." The original intention
was that the manslayer,whoby misfortune or by accident
had killed his fellow-creature, should not be rashly put to
death in personal vindictiveness, but be brought to cool
and impartial trial for his act. Inheathen countries we
are toldthattemples and sacredenclosures were appointed
as asyla to those who fled to them for safety; and it is
most probable that a similarprivilegewas transferred to
Christian churches by general usage long before it was
sanctioned by distinct law. It is asserted that in the
second century of our era King Lucius introduced the
sanctuary into Britain, but we have not any historical
evidenceofthe fact. We find,however,soearlyas theyear
693, at a synod of the great and wisemenof the kingdom
under Ina, King of West Saxons,it was decreed that if
anyone who was accused of a capital crime took refuge,
his life should be spared,but that he should make compensation
as the justice of the case might require; andif
the offence were deserving only of stripes, the stripes
should be remitted. In theyear 887, by the laws ofAlfred
the Great, the privilege of sanctuary was permitted to the
perpetratorof any small offence for three nights,ifhe fled