We worked with Humber Film to create a series of audio-visuals for Beverley Minster to tell the story of how the church was a place of sanctuary for men and women accused of crimes in medieval England. 

Bishop John of York chose a place where Beverley now stands to establish a monastery and he retired there to find sanctuary. His reputation influenced King Athelstan to give Beverley the ‘right of sanctuary’ which attracted fugitives from a wide area. 

We provided the storyboard and script writing for the main introductory video out of a series of seven films. This was the story of John Wright, the clerk who explained how sanctuary works and what was expected of anyone claiming the right to sanctuary.

All Churches could provide a place of sanctuary for up to 40 days. During this period local inhabitants were supposed to watch the church to ensure the person seeking sanctuary didn’t escape, while pursuers often kept watch, wating for them to leave. At the end of this period people had to confess their crime to the coroner and stand trial or renounce the realm and be banished. Certain monasteries, of which Beverley was one, were given special rights from the crown to be places of sanctuary.