Old Church Lore

A place where criminals and political offenders could find refuge was called a Sanctuary. It is generally agreed that in this country the privilege of sanctuary was instituted on the recognition of Christianity. From an early time down to the days of Henry VIII., fugitives were safe for certain periods in all the churches and churchyards of the land.
The origin of the usage is extremely remote. Most probably it existed among the Israelites before Moses gave directions for the establishment ...