Old Church Lore
1891
Old Church Lore
1891
In medieval England, the church was more than a place of worship. It was a fortress of last resort, a space where the law could not follow. This is the story of sanctuary: the explosive right that allowed fugitives to claim protection within holy walls, forcing kings and sheriffs to negotiate with God Himself. William Andrews traces this extraordinary institution from its earliest origins in the laws of King Ina and Alfred the Great, through centuries of evolution, to its eventual decline. He uncovers the remarkable cases of figures who fled to the altar, examines how the Church balanced its spiritual mission with its unexpected role as legal arbiter, and illuminates a world where the boundary between secular and sacred authority was constantly contested. Bishops clashed with monarchs over the rights of fugitives; the stakes of crossing a church threshold could mean life or death. For readers drawn to the hidden machinery of history, the strange byways of English law, and the medieval world where the church door was literally a line no bailiff could cross.
About Old Church Lore
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- Explores the medieval practice of sanctuary, where criminals could find refuge in churches and churchyards. Details the laws, procedures, and famous violations of sanctuary rights throughout English history.
- 2
- Examines medieval trial by ordeal, including ordeals by boiling water, cold water, and red-hot iron. Also covers the superstition that murdered corpses would bleed when touched by their killers.
- 3
- Recounts a 1378 conflict over trading privileges that led to physical violence between the Mayor of Hull and Archbishop Neville, resulting in a legal battle.
Key Themes
- Religious Transformation
- The book chronicles the dramatic changes in English religious practice from medieval Catholicism through the Reformation to Protestant traditions. This transformation affected everything from sanctuary laws to church decorations.
- Law and Justice
- Medieval concepts of justice, including trial by ordeal, sanctuary rights, and various forms of punishment, reveal a society where religious and secular law were intertwined and often harsh.
- Social Customs and Traditions
- The persistence and evolution of folk customs, from curfew bells to wedding traditions, show how communities maintained cultural identity despite political and religious upheavals.
Characters
- William Andrews(protagonist)
- The author and antiquarian who compiled these historical studies. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society with expertise in English church history and customs.
- Henry VIII(major)
- English king who appears in multiple chapters, particularly regarding sanctuary laws and the story of curing an abbot's indigestion. Known for his role in the English Reformation.
- Edward I(major)
- English king known as 'Longshanks' who erected Eleanor Crosses in memory of his beloved wife Queen Eleanor. Also involved in sanctuary law enforcement.
- William the Conqueror(major)
- Norman king who conquered England in 1066 and established the curfew law. Granted various privileges to church officials.
- Charles II(major)
- English king whose restoration is commemorated by Royal Oak Day. Famous for hiding in an oak tree after the Battle of Worcester.
- Queen Eleanor(major)
- Beloved wife of Edward I who died in 1290. Eleanor Crosses were erected at every place her funeral procession rested.
