A medieval stone seat or chair in a church, believed to offer sanctuary or protection to those fleeing violence; a place of refuge.
From Old English frith (peace, sanctuary) + stool (seat). Archaeological evidence shows these stone seats existed in Saxon churches, though whether they held mystical power or just marked the altar area is debated.
Churches offered 'sanctuary'—criminals could literally grab the altar and be protected from pursuers! Frithstools were architectural claims that the church was a safe space, a tradition that lasted until the 16th century in England.
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