There were, moreover, many favorable chances for a homicide.

The Church was jealous of her rights of sanctuary.

Whatever may have been her zeal for orthodoxy, she showed herself an indulgent mother to culprits who demanded an asylum.
Feudal nobles prided themselves on protecting refugees within their fiefs and castles.

There were innumerable petty domains left, which carried privileges of signorial courts and local justice.

Cardinals, ambassadors, and powerful princes claimed immunity from common jurisdiction in their palaces, the courts and basements of which soon became the resort of escaped criminals.