Back to the front page
Middle Ages

15 Medieval Laws That Still Exist in Europe Today

medieval laws

3. The Law of Sanctuary (United Kingdom)

3. The Law of Sanctuary (United Kingdom)
Sunlight filters through stained glass windows, illuminating the stone sanctuary of a medieval church that once offered refuge to many. | Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels

In medieval England, fugitives could claim sanctuary in churches, gaining protection from arrest for up to forty days. While this law is no longer widely applied, its legacy lingers in British legal traditions and asylum practices. Today, the idea of church sanctuary occasionally resurfaces in exceptional cases, echoing the medieval principle of offering refuge to those in need. Read more

Written by

Keep reading

Advertisement