e the shrines of
saints existed the sanctuary privileges were much greater. Durham being
one of these, there are many curious cases on record of persons claiming
the privilege, and protection from the secular law. The earliest
instance, of which any record has been kept, of sanctuary being claimed
at the shrine of S. Cuthbert is during the episcopate of Cynewulf, who
was bishop from 740 to 748, and the last recorded was in 1524. Criminals
claiming sanctuary were admitted by two janitors, who occupied two
small chambers over the doorway, traces of which may still be observed.
The knocker itself, as may be seen from the illustration, is a great
grotesque head, made of bronze, and hanging from its grinning mouth is a
ring. Originally, there is no doubt, the eyes were filled with crystals
or enamel, as small claw-like pieces of bronze remain by which the
filling was attached. The age of this piece of work is probably the same
as that of the doorway itself.

[Illustration: Detail Of Ironwork.]

[Illustration: The Sanctuary Knocker.]

[Illustration: Ironwork On Doors of Cloisters.]

The #South Doorways.#--There are two doorways into the south aisle,
one, known as the Monks' Door, opening from the western portion of the
cloisters and immediately opposite the north porch just described. On
the cloister side this shows a Norman arch resting on double shafts,
which are enriched with a lozenge pattern. On the inner or aisle side
there are two orders, with shafts in the recesses, which are also
decorated with the lozenge. The inner arch is carved with chevrons, and
the outer with conventional foliage and medallions. The capitals are
richly carved with foliage and grotesques. On the abacus and arch of
this doorway occurs a leaf pattern strongly suggesting the Byzantine
influence which at one time was found in Norman decoration. Here again,
on the door itself, we have a fine specimen of very elaborate and
characteristic Norman iron-work. The second, known as the Priors' Door,
opens into the south aisle from the eastern alley of the cloister, is
also Norman. The outer or cloister side is of the time of Bishop Pudsey,
and has an arch of four orders, with three shafts in the recesses on
either side. Its once elaborate sculpture is now much decayed, not
enough remaining to suggest that in its original state this doorway must
have been a noble specimen of the architectural design of its period. On
the inner side it exhibits work of Ca