The Right of Sanctuary in the English Tradition takes the reader on a historical, criminal, and legal odyssey through the ancient practice of sanctuary, which was granted to fugitives fleeing from justice by Catholic churches in England during the Middle Ages.

The book begins with a discussion of the origin of sanctuary, rooted in the six Levitical cities of the Old Testament, and continues through the Middle Ages and beyond. The author does a great job handling the difficult historical landscape, providing a summary that shows how sanctuary rights have changed in interesting and amazing ways.

The author skillfully examines the history of sanctuary in England’s criminal justice system, covering the period from the 7th century through the reign of Henry VIII and James I,  in the 17th century. The book is essentially a legal journey that explains how the customs, traditions, and laws governing the practice of sanctuary morphed into modern laws governing asylum, diplomatic immunity, and other aspects of international law. The book also invites readers to reflect on the never-ending search for justice, truth, and individual rights, while skillfully bridging the gap between the Old Testament and contemporary world affairs.