For almost one-thousand years, beginning with the first laws drawn up by King Æthelberht of Kent in the early seventh century until the final parliament of James I in 1624, privilege of sanctuary was an integral part of the English common law. In religious and even some secular buildings covering the length and breadth of England, everyone from rogues to royalty could—and did—seek sanctuary for the preservation of their lives. Under Henry VIII, the privilege underwent its most radical transformation, with the foundation of eight ‘sanctuary towns’ in emulation of the six Old Testament Cities of Refuge. Norwich was one of those nominated, and an area encompassing St Stephen’s church and its environs was selected as the location for the ‘sanctuary town’. Within its boundaries, a range of malefactors could seek refuge for life if they desired. Drawing on extensive research in local and national archives, this talk will illuminate the rich history of sanctuary seeking in and around Norwich throughout the medieval and early-modern period, and, in particular, the foundation and operation of its ‘sanctuary town’.