Historic%20Yorkshire

12
ST. JOHN OF BEVERLEY.
milefrom the church. By this latterimportant right of
sanctuary, any person who had transgressed the laws of
the realm by any crime (excepting high treason) was
exempt from the summary justice of the times until he
could be properly placed upon his trial or banished the
country. The town or church (it is doubtful which) was
granteda charter by whichthe townsmen wereauthorised
to traverse the realm free from all imposts and tolls.
From the impulse thus given to the prosperity of the
church, it rapidly developed into great splendour and
opulence. At the time when the Dooms-day Book was
compiled, the canons of Beverley were the possessors of
20,000 acres of land and a number of churches.
This is not the only account of the wonders effected by
the agency of Saint John's miraculousrelics. On the day
upon which the great Battle of Agincourt was fought, the
shrine is said to have sweat with blood; consequently,
the victory, bypopularassent, was declaredto beowing to
the aid of this spiritual protector of English arms, and in
like accordance with the beliefs of that day, Henry V.
and his queen came afterwards to worship at the shrine
in token of thankfulness for the aid thus vouchsafed.
Among other wonderful effects of places and objects
which have had connection with him, may be also
mentioned another instance in whichhis banner was the
accompanier of victory, namely, at the Battle of the
Standard. The banners of Saint John of Beverley,
Saint Peter of York, and Saint Wilfrid of Ripon were
mounted upon a standard ormast, which was carried on
a waggon to the battle-field, to whichit gaveits name.
Edward I., in his numerous encounters with the
Scotch, also carried with him Saint John's efficacious
banner.
Near the churchyardalso, at Harpham,maystillbe seen
by theroadside SaintJohn's well. The chronicler,William
of Malmesbury, states that the fiercest bull when led to
this well is rendered as gentle as a lamb, by the holy
influence which is supposed to hover around the place,