Considering the Hatfield College in Durham?
A VT member wrote the following comment about visiting Durham:
Sanctuary Seekers by sandysmith
In the middle ages fugitives seeking sanctuary would knock on the north door of the Cathedral using this striking lion-like knocker (actually this is now a copy since 1980 and the original can be seen in the cathedral museum). Tis woul alert the watchmen in a chamber (now gone due to erosion and reconstructuring) above the door to let them in. They could stay here for 37 days max. during which time they had to choose between trial and voluntary exile
