>>Oh by the way. There's a 12th century bronze sanctuary knocker not a door bell at Durham Cathedral. I think the crucial thing was to grab hold of it rather than knock (or ring). Apparently two monks were on hand to give sanctuary to seekers and to see them safely to the coast.<<Edgar Thank you Edgar. The Senior Guide caught that one, too. Here is what she said: "Dear Sarah Further to the reply from Durham Cathedral. I attach the actual words of the entry in the Monastic records of your ancestor seeking sanctuary. As you will see from my rough translation he did NOT ring the bell. Before 1503 after the fugitive was admitted to the Church he was required to ring a penitential bell but this ceased in 1503. Your ancestor would have used the knocker. There were always two people keeping watch for those who sought sanctuary. Then a bell was rung to warn the people of Durham that a fugitive had come to the Cathedral /Monastery. The doors were opened and he was taken to a particular spot. he was allowed to stay for up to 37 days. There is no record of how long Archibald stayed. With very few exceptions, those who sought sanctuary and confessed their sins at Cuthbert's shrine swore to abjure the realm for ever. They were passed from constable to constable until they reached the port (usually) Hartlepool and they had to take the first ship leaving and n! ever return. we do know that a few jumped ship but we do not know where the rest ended up. Best wishes Lilian Groves Senior Guide ********** Ad Ecclesiam Cath. Dunelm., iiij Augusti, MDXVII, venit quidam Archebaldus Reveley, de Fowbery, in Com. Nothumbriæ, et peciit immunitatem, pro eo quod præsens fuit quando quidam Laurentius Beill, Georgius Reveley, Johannes Reveley et Willielmus reveley, quosdam Thomam Reveley et Thomam Boynde, apud Waunden infra territorium de Fowbery, interfecerunt, in die S. Jacobi, viz xxv Julii, MDXVII, pro quâ feloniâ - et ope ac auxilio per eundem Archebaldum dictis homicidis facto - ommunitatem peciit. Præsentibus Henrico Kelynghall, Lionello Elmesden et Radulfo Byllingham, generosis. Roughly translated On August 4th 1517 Archibald Reveley came to the Cathedral Church of Durham and earnestly sought sanctuary because he was present when .... slew Thomas Reveley and Thomas Boynde. on the day of St James viz 25th July 1517 for which felony and the aid and help through the same Archibald Reveley to the same he begs immunity. The people names as being present were all gentlemen of Durham who acted as witnesses." There's a photo of the knocker at http://www.gettysburg.edu/academics/english/britain/anglo-saxon/durham/durhamarch.htm Sarah