Frithstool or Freedstool

Frithstool Or Freedstool

literally the seat of peace; a seat or chair, usually made of stone, placed near the altar in some churches, and intended as the last and most sacred resort for those that claimed the privilege of the sanctuary. The violation of the Freedstool was attended by the most severe punishment. "According to Spelman, that at Beverley had this inscription: Haec sedes lapidea freedstoll dicitur i.e., pacis cathedra, ad quam reus fugiendo perveniens omnimodam habet securitatem.' Frithstools still exist in the church at Hexham and Beverley Minster, both in the north aisle of the chanceel: the former of these has the seat hollowed out in a semicircular form, and is slightly orinamented with patterns of Norman character, that at Beverley is very rude and plain."