Thorpe Arnold / Thorp Arnold / Thorpe Ernald / Torp

There are two entries for Thorpe [Arnold] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SK7720/thorpe-arnold/] [accesed 21 February 2015], neither of which mentions cleric or church in it. A font in this church is noted and illustrated in Upcott (1818). Described and illustrated in Simpson (1828): "We are inclined to think that the mis-shapen figures on this Font, are intended to represent the combat between St. Michael and the Great Dragon; Rev. chap. 12. On the other side are two crosses similar to that shewn in the engraving of the Twyford Font, with the addition of human heads in the centre." Simpson reports its location at the time [ca. 1828] as "under the western arch of the south aisle". Poole (1842 and 1848) notes: "the Christian soldier opposing a shield charged with a cross to the attacks of fiery serpents, in which the Christian vow on Holy Baptism is figured [On the font of Thorpe Ernald, in Leicestershire]". Noted by Romilly Allen (1883-1884) as having a representation of the conflict between Good and Evil. Illustrated in a 1893 drawing by Henry E.L. Dryden, in the Sir Henry Dryden Collection, Northamptonshire. Described in Cox & Harvey (1907): this "early font has some rude figure carving, including the combat between St. Michael and the dragon". English Heritage [Listing NGR: SK7704620099] (1968) reports: "Font: Norman, circular, tub-shaped, with knight fighting dragon and two foliated crosses; octagonal moulding to base of bowl low octagonal stem and chamfered plinth." In Pevsner (1984): "Font. Circular, of tub shape. Norman. Two foliated crosses and the figure of a man with a shield and a broken sword fighting monsters." On-site notes: font in two pieces; the basin is cylindrical, mounted on a two-part base; two scenes appear on the sides of this basin: a large 'fleurdelysée' cross in a circle, and a battle scene between St. Michael and a five-headed dragon or hydra. The base appears to be of the same stone but has been recut into another design than the original: it is octagonal and of the same width as the basin at the top, but narows down through a chamfer to become a short octagonal pillar; there is a short and narrow square plinth [NB: in Simpson's time [ca. 1828] the whole appears raised on a second taller plinth, also square; the font now [July 1998] rests on the short plinth and then directly on the ground]. Although the font is dated to the Norman period in some sources based on the earlier style of some of the details, it ought to be dated to the period that the latest motifs belong to, probably the 13th century.