Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fridstol \Frid"stol`\ (fr[i^]d"st[=o]l`), Frithstool
\Frith`stool"\ (fr[i^]th"st[=oo]l`), n. [AS. fri[eth]st[=o]l.
   See {Fred}, and {Stool}.]
   A seat in churches near the altar, to which offenders
   formerly fled for sanctuary. [Written variously {fridstool},
   {freedstool}, etc.] [Obs.]