Note 220 — Chapter III · SECURITY OF THE ROADS

“The History of King Richard the Thirde,” pp. 44, 45. A list of the “contents” of the same Westminster sanctuary, in 1532, has been printed by the Rev. J. C. Cox, showing that “there were then fifty fugitives, including one woman under the protection of the abbey, as life prisoners, one of whom had been there for twenty years. Sixteen were there for felonies, probably all robberies, eleven for murder or homicide, eighteen for debt, and two for sacrilege,” the church having particular merit in protecting the latter. One was a priest: “Sir James Whytakere, preste, for murdre”; some were there for a matter so small as to inspire pity: “John ap Howell for felony; a poore mane, for stellynge of herrings.” “Sanctuaries,” 1911, pp. 72 ff.