Bronze Norman door knockers

In 1986 I photographed the ornate, bronze sanctuary knocker on the door of Durham Cathedral (above). It was a replica in place of the original that had been there from 1172 until 1977. The purpose of the knocker, as described on the Durham World Heritage Site website was as follows - "Those who ‘had committed a great offence,’ such as murder in self-defence or breaking out of prison, could rap the knocker, and would be given 37 days of sanctuary within which they could try to reconcile with their enemies or plan their escape."

I was reminded of this well-known Norman metal work on a recent visit to the church of St Peter, Dormington in Herefordshire. It also has an ancient door knocker that dates from the 1100s and it too is a replica. The original is held in the Treasury at Hereford Cathedral.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OM 1n

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5