Durham Cathedral Sanctuary Knocker

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Durham Cathedral's Sanctuary Knocker has been a lifeline for countless desperate fugitives throughout history. This iconic door handle on Durham Cathedral's massive wooden doors in North East England, UK, depicts an Anglo-Saxon take on 'hell-mouth', the entrance to hell. It features a man being devoured by a lion, which is itself being consumed by a double-headed snake. The original 1155 knocker resides in the Open Treasure exhibition; the one on the door is a replica that has become synonymous with Durham's identity. If a criminal seized the sanctuary knocker, their pursuers were forced to abandon them or risk death. The Galilee Bell tolled and the fugitive donned a gown bearing St Cuthbert's Cross. They had 37 days to decide whether to emerge and face trial or accept their guilt and be banished from the realm. For more information, visit ExplorAR's comprehensive explanation of Durham Cathedral's sanctuary knocker.