Legend has it that King Athelstan granted Beverley sanctuary for the otherworldly assistance of St. John of Beverly in winning the battle of Brunanburh in 937. The battle made Athelstan the first king of all Britain, and sanctuary extended for a mile around the the saint's tomb located in the Beverley Minster
Two of the four, or possibly five, original stones remain, all but unrecognizable as crosses after so many years. The southern cross is on the A164, north of Bentley. The Killingwoldgraves cross is along the York Road. A possible third remaining sanctuary stone is on the Walkington Road.