 Wetheral Priory Gatehouse was probably built in the 15th century and formed the entrance to the priory 's outer courtyard . Wetheral Priory was a small Benedictine institution , founded by Ranulf le Meschin following the Norman invasion of Cumbria at the beginning of the 12th century . The motherhouse of the priory was St Mary 's Abbey in York . The priory was known for a special right of sanctuary for criminals that had been granted to it by Henry I , allowing the priory to shelter felons who could reach the church and ring the bell there . 
