The Sanctuary Knocker

The Sanctuary Knocker adorned the North Door of Durham Cathedral for centuries. It takes its name from the fact that in the Middle Ages people who had ’committed a great offence’ could touch the knocker and would be granted sanctuary for 37 days, during which time the person had to choose between trial and voluntary exile.

The hideousness of the monster’s features was designed to ward off evil from the place of sanctuary at Durham Cathedral.

It is a source of inspiration for other creative works, some of which you can see as you walk around Durham Cathedral.

This is a replica of the original 12th century bronze knocker, which is on display in Open Treasure, the Cathedral’s award-winning museum.

[The logo of Durham Cathedral]
DURHAM CATHEDRAL
THE SHRINE OF ST CUTHBERT

The Knocker was photographed on the same day by the same photographer Click for a larger image

For more details about the cathedral click on the following link Click for sign's details