Claiming sanctuary in the Church was quite common in Medieval Europe. The idea of claiming sanctuary actually dates back before Christianity as there were similar teachings of claiming a safe place for criminals in Greek temples as well as in Roman temples. However, the true start of claiming sanctuary in the church began in Medieval times.
What Did it Mean to Claim Sanctuary?
To claim sanctuary in the church during Medieval Times was done by fugitives who were seeking safety from the death penalty (Ibid.). The most common reason why an individual would seek sanctuary was murder.
Fugitives could seek sanctuary by fleeing to a church and claiming “sanctuary!” By claiming sanctuary, the fugitive was officially under the protection of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Since the fugitive was under the protection of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, they would be protected from the death penalty.
The Roman Catholic Church allowed fugitives and criminals to claim sanctuary in order to help more people come to know God. They also allowed fugitives to claim sanctuary because the church did not always agree on punishments inflicted on criminals.
When an individual claimed sanctuary, it did not mean the fugitive could simply live in the cathedral and carry on with the rest of their life. Rather, claiming sanctuary in the church would protect the fugitive as long as they remained within the confines of the church itself. Law enforcement or people pursuing the fugitive could wait around outside, but they were not allowed to enter the cathedral (Ibid.).
Once an individual left the church building, they were sentenced to exile (Ibid.). Exile meant the individual had to permanently leave England and could never return. The punishment of exile may sound severe; however, exile is still a better option than the death penalty or being put into prison for the rest of your life.
During Medieval Europe, the prisons were not the same as the 21st century, modern-day prisons. The conditions of the prisons in the Medieval Ages were very dark, bad for your health, and a sure promise of death in the prison (Ibid.).
In other words, if you were sent to prison during this time, it meant you were going to have a long and painful death. The idea of claiming sanctuary was much more appealing to fugitives as they knew they could stay alive by claiming sanctuary in the church.
What Were the Conditions?
After an individual claimed sanctuary in the church, the Roman Catholic Church expected the individual to convert to Christianity. In addition to converting to Christianity, the fugitive was expected to confess their crime to the coroner and were required to give up all of their possessions and money.
A fugitive could only remain in the cathedral claiming sanctuary for up to 40 days. Within that time, the fugitive had to wear clothes of repentance, such as a simple covering and they did not wear shoes or hats (Ibid.).
Claiming sanctuary was not a place of honor, glory, or special privileges. After a person had used up their 40 days of sanctuary, they were usually exiled and a ferry boat would take them to either Ireland, France, or another neighboring location outside of England (Ibid.).
When the fugitive had arrived at their new land, they would be left by the ferry boatman to live their new life — with no money, possessions, and no knowledge of the new land. It would have been extremely difficult for a fugitive to thrive anywhere after claiming sanctuary.
What Happened During the 40 Days?
During the 40 days of sanctuary, the church would help the fugitive confess any sins and help them know God and experience God’s forgiveness. All sins are bad, including murder, but none of the sins are unforgivable. God’s forgiveness stretches beyond the oceans, beyond the galaxies, and beyond what our minds can understand.
When a person believes in Jesus and places faith in Him, they are given forgiveness of sins and eternal life (John 3:16-17). How wonderful that news would have been for fugitives! Even though earthly law enforcements were not as forgiving, God who is ruler over all could provide lasting forgiveness by placing faith in Jesus.
During their time in sanctuary, fugitives would have had the opportunity to learn more about God and spend time in reflection with God through prayer. Fugitives would also use their 40 days to prepare for their upcoming exile.
Claiming sanctuary endured for a long time; however, the Medieval regulations to sanctuary were ended in 1624. In the modern-day, individuals can seek out sanctuary, but sanctuary in the church does not provide the individual with any protection in legal matters.
The church is still a place of protection and a safe place, however, the church cannot protect an individual who is running away from the law. Even though the standard sanctuary rules have been abolished, all people everywhere can still experience God’s forgiveness by placing faith in Jesus and repenting of past sins.
Accepting Jesus is a spiritual release from a sinful prison. Thus, fugitives would claim sanctuary in the church to be protected by the Holy Roman Catholic Church. The church does not participate in sanctuary from the law today, however, all people can still accept Jesus as their Savior and receive forgiveness of sins and freedom in Christ.
For further reading:
Does the Bible Say Christians Have to Attend Church?
What Did Jesus Mean ‘On This Rock I Will Build My Church’?
What Is the Oldest Church in the World?
What Lessons Should We Learn from Church History?
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