Sanctuary Markers - Hemsby, Norfolk

This blogpost will be focusing on a curiosity I’ve noticed while taking Bramble for a walk. I’ve seen plenty of milestones in the past while living in Norwich as well reading about them (Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist comes to mind).

Milestones were used as indicators to show how many miles to the next city or town. Some were built as far back as the Roman period. I always assumed the stone marker I have seen in Hemsby village was something similar, as it is on the main road leading towards Great Yarmouth. 

Hemsby is a village on the East Norfolk coast, about seven to eight miles to Yarmouth. Nowadays it is known for its holiday camps, but it is believed to have Viking origins. The name is derived from Old Scandinavian, meaning Heimer's Settlement. So far, there hasn’t been any archaeological evidence of its Viking heritage, but there are pockets left over of its Medieval roots amongst the chalets and caravans – the sanctuary marker being one of them.

The stone can be found opposite the petrol station. It seems to have been forgotten amongst the long grass, with a backdrop of a field of horses. A tree of hawthorn overhangs, ivy laying claim to the crown. Only a slight impression of what was carved into the stone remains.  

The shape and base of the marker are almost altar-like and it is quite some size. It reminded me of a little spirit peeking from a mass of nature while cars rush past. 

I was curious if this was something other than a milestone. Some online searching revealed, on Norfolk Heritage Explorer, that it is in fact a sanctuary marker. The symbols on the four sides once featured an angel, lion, ox and eagle. All were winged and held a banner or scroll to represent the four Evangelists: St John, St Luke, St Matthew and St Mark. This marker would have had a cross on top, but this has been now lost, leaving only the base.

Originally, it was believed to be 11th century, but most now lean towards it being 14th century, which would fit in with the age of the local church, St Mary the Virgin. A past St Mary's vicar suggested this may have been part of a set of four markers dotted around the village, two of these were moved to the churchyard, although they are nothing more than stone slabs now. The final one has either been fenced off or demolished entirely. The Yarmouth Road sanctuary stone was originally found elsewhere, but was moved to make way for railway tracks in the late 19^th century. Amazingly it has managed to survive as well as it has compared to the other stones.

What is a sanctuary marker, though? I thought it might have just been a way of telling travellers ‘church ahoy!’ but further research reveals it appears to mark out, as per the name, how far the church’s sanctuary extended. Sanctuary offered protection for those escaping debt or criminal charges. A person could claim sanctuary in places such as the church or its graveyard, with a forty day reprieve. The sanctuary markers plotted out the area the person could remain in without fear of being carted off to the hangman. So, these markers mapped out St Mary’s ‘territory’.

I wonder if figures from the past, walking all the way from Yarmouth as they used to do through rain and fog, felt relief upon seeing the marker in the distance, or settled and rested against the base for a breather. It is certainly an object I will want to include in a future story.

Are there any half-formed things in your area, eroded, vandalised or near lost that you are curious about and do not want to be forgotten?