Sanctuary

The rule that allowed criminals not accused of infamy or felonies against Church property to seek refuge against the hew and cry issued when a felony was discovered. In most ecclesiastical properties, so long as no crime was committed against the church, a criminal could seek refuge for 40 days, after which they could be removed from the premises. In England, certain abbeys had an extended right of sanctuary, extending about for a league or more, with no limit on time. At these abbeys wanted persons could remain indefinitely, part of the abbey community.&nbsp