Sunday 11 September 2016

Sunday Snap – The Sanctuary Knocker

We were continuing our stroll around St. Pancras Station for last week's Sunday Snap. I asked who the statue of the Poet Laureate was of and the answer is

Sir John Betjeman

Penning the right answer right answer were Cheryl, Anne, Erica, Michelle and Karen.

For this week if you walked next door to St. Pancras and into King's Cross Station you could catch a train to this northern city. The Sanctuary Knocker is on the door of the city's famous cathedral. It is a replica of of one that was placed on the door in the medieval times. If you had committed what was deemed to be 'a great offence' such as murder in self-defence or breaking out of prison you could come and knock on the door. At the time there would have been two chambers above the door where monks would have taken turns to keep watch for anyone coming to seek sanctuary whatever the time of day. A bell would have been rung to announce their arrival and the sanctuary seeker would have been allowed in and then dressed in a black robe with a yellow St. Cuthbert’s Cross sewn onto it. From this moment they would have 37 days in order to sort out their affairs by either standing trial or escaping via the nearest port. During their time within the cathedral the sanctuary seekers would be housed in a separate area away from the rest of the cathedral. They would be provided with food, drink and bedding free of charge.

The Right to Sanctuary within the cathedral was abolished in 1624 as Parliament decreed, “that no sanctuary or privilege of sanctuary shall be hereafter allowed in any case”. The original Sanctuary Knocker can be found in a exhibition within the cathedral. This week's question is

Where can the Sanctuary Knocker be found?

We were joined last week by Betty who has been finding the green in the New Zealand winter. In Lanzarote Cheryl has been taking a trip on the yellow submarine. At Susan's sparkly nails were needed after booster injections. Anne has been putting some colour into her garden. There has been meetings with Peter Andre for Kara plus a choice of directions. Having a play with photography was Kelly. Finally, Sue has been finding the passion in purple plants.

If you want to join in with this week's Sunday Snap then add your link to the linky below. Any theme is allowed. It doesn't have to be published today as you have until 23.55 on Friday 16th September 2016 to join in. Grab my badge below for your blog post. Just make sure it is your photo and you hold the copyright for it.
Sunday Snap

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13 comments:

  1. Durham :) What a lovely story behind the knocker

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  2. I don't know but what an amazing story. I like the idea of a sanctuary but maybe not for criminals.

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  3. Wow that is a really interesting story. Fascinating. The door knocker is incredible. You certainly don't see ones like that everyday. xx

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  4. That door knocker is like none I've seen before - love it x

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  5. I love old objects and the stories they hold. This one is especially good!

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  6. I love this door knocker and the story behind it. Durham is a beautiful city full of charm x

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  7. I do like the idea of sanctuary but I wouldn't want to have to decide who gets it. I love the old knocker, it looks quite stately.

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  8. I've never been to Durham but whenever I see a knocker like this it reminds me of that bit in Labrynth with the two knockers who constantly bicker with one another. Isn't it funny how pop culture we encounter as kids can influence our thoughts well into adulthood?!

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  9. I honestly have no idea but what a great knocker it is, definitely one you would not miss.

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  10. What an unusual door knocker, the eyes creep me out a bit but at the same time I really like it! x

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  11. My son just saw this and asked what it was. Now he wants one on our door too - because it's apparently much cooler than our current one!

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  12. I love visiting Durham as it's not far from me - I haven't been in ages though....

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  13. I have no idea, never heard this story

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