Langtoft nr. Driffield No. 1 / Langetou / Langhetou / Langhetov

Main image for Langtoft nr. Driffield No. 1 / Langetou / Langhetou / Langhetov

Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023

CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

Results: 33 records

B01: Old Testament - Genesis from the creation to the expulsion from paradise, and later years of Adam and Eve - Temptation and Fall - Adam, Eve and the Serpent

Adam and Eve Tasting the forbidden fruit. The Tree of Knowledge with the serpent stands between them. In the centre the Tree of Knowledge, with a serpent wrapped around it. To the right Eve naked, except for the fig leave with her left hand and takes the apple with her right hand from the serpent. On the left is Adam. Right hand holds a fig leaf and left hand holds an apple.
Scene Description: Adam and Eve Tasting the forbidden fruit. The Tree of Knowledge with the serpent stands between them. In the centre the Tree of Knowledge, with a serpent wrapped around it. To the right Eve naked, except for the fig leave with her left hand and takes the apple with her right hand from the serpent. On the left is Adam. Right hand holds a fig leaf and left hand holds an apple.
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

B02: symbol - tree - Tree of life

Tree of Life
Scene Description: Tree of Life
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

B03: Apostle or saint - St. Margaret of Antioch

St. Margaret breaking out of the Dragon's back; note that the bottom of her dress and her feet are still visible in the dragon's mouth
Scene Description: St. Margaret breaking out of the Dragon's back; note that the bottom of her dress and her feet are still visible in the dragon's mouth
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

B04: Apostle or saint - St. Lawrence - martyrdom

Martyrdom of St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence on a grill, face up with hands tied. Over him a figure in profile, pokes at him with a rod that looks like a shepherd's staff
Scene Description: Martyrdom of St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence on a grill, face up with hands tied. Over him a figure in profile, pokes at him with a rod that looks like a shepherd's staff
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

B05: animal - fabulous animal or monster - dragon

Winged Dragon looking toward the left. A hole is dug into the side next to the dragon. This is not related to a previous lid, but more likely a drain made when the font was used as garden ornament (?) or the like
Scene Description: Winged Dragon looking toward the left. A hole is dug into the side next to the dragon. This is not related to a previous lid, but more likely a drain made when the font was used as garden ornament (?) or the like
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

B06: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Andrew - crucifixion

No arch on this scene, but two columns frame the Martyrdom of St. Andrew. He is haloed, full frontal, legs tied to cross and his wrists are being tied by two figures, one to the left and right. He is naked on the chest. A fire appears burning under the cross.
Scene Description: No arch on this scene, but two columns frame the Martyrdom of St. Andrew. He is haloed, full frontal, legs tied to cross and his wrists are being tied by two figures, one to the left and right. He is naked on the chest. A fire appears burning under the cross.
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

view of font

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

view of font

Source caption: "The Norman font is kept in the south west corner of the church and has pride of place"
Scene Description: Source caption: "The Norman font is kept in the south west corner of the church and has pride of place"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of font

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Timothy Marlow, 2014
Image Source: photograph taken 4 June 2013 by Timothy Marlow
Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received (letter of 26 October 2013)

view of font

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Timothy Marlow, 2014
Image Source: photograph taken 22 May 1993 by Timothy Marlow
Copyright Instructions: Image and permission received (letter of 26 October 2013)

view of font

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of font

the Martyrdom of St. Andrew
Scene Description: the Martyrdom of St. Andrew
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of font

on the left the Martyrdom of St. Andrew; on the right the Temptation and Fall
Scene Description: on the left the Martyrdom of St. Andrew; on the right the Temptation and Fall
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - interior

showing the old lead lining
Scene Description: showing the old lead lining
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

design element - motifs - rope moulding

all around the upper basin side
Scene Description: all around the upper basin side
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "Close up of St Lawrence. In general, sculptors and artists right through the Norman and mediaeval periods were unwilling to depict any kind of pain on the faces of the martyrs. Perhaps it signified the knowledge that the victims would shortly be in Heaven."
Scene Description: Source caption: "Close up of St Lawrence. In general, sculptors and artists right through the Norman and mediaeval periods were unwilling to depict any kind of pain on the faces of the martyrs. Perhaps it signified the knowledge that the victims would shortly be in Heaven."
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "The unfortunate St Lawrence is roasted on his griddle as another tormentor adds to his pain with a spear of some sort."
Scene Description: Source caption: "The unfortunate St Lawrence is roasted on his griddle as another tormentor adds to his pain with a spear of some sort."
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "St Margaret of Antioch bursts from the side of the dragon that had eaten here, showing the triumph of good over evil. What with two martyrdoms and the Fall depicted on this font, the carver obviously felt that a bit of optimism about the human condition was in order! "
Scene Description: Source caption: "St Margaret of Antioch bursts from the side of the dragon that had eaten here, showing the triumph of good over evil. What with two martyrdoms and the Fall depicted on this font, the carver obviously felt that a bit of optimism about the human condition was in order! "
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "The temptation of Adam & Eve. Eve (to the left) take fruit from the serpent entwined within the Tree of Knowledge. Adam already clutches his. Conflating events rather, both Adam and Eve are already clutching leaves to cover their nakedness. The Tree of Life to its right is perhaps meant as a counterpoint to this scene."
Scene Description: Source caption: "The temptation of Adam & Eve. Eve (to the left) take fruit from the serpent entwined within the Tree of Knowledge. Adam already clutches his. Conflating events rather, both Adam and Eve are already clutching leaves to cover their nakedness. The Tree of Life to its right is perhaps meant as a counterpoint to this scene."
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "The rather unspectacular dragon"
Scene Description: Source caption: "The rather unspectacular dragon"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "The Tree of Life"
Scene Description: Source caption: "The Tree of Life"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

Source caption: "The rare image of St Andrew being crucified on a saltire (that is, diagonal) cross. "
Scene Description: Source caption: "The rare image of St Andrew being crucified on a saltire (that is, diagonal) cross. "
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Lionel and Diana Wall, 2013
Image Source: digital photgraph 22 July 2013 by Lionel and Diana Wall [https://greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/langtoft.html] [accessed 30 August 2022]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

the dragon's head with St. Margaret's feet still outside its mouth
Scene Description: the dragon's head with St. Margaret's feet still outside its mouth
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

a dragon swallows the body of St. Margaret, the bottom of her dress and her feet about to enter the dragon's mouth, while the Saint's upper body issues out of the monster's back
Scene Description: a dragon swallows the body of St. Margaret, the bottom of her dress and her feet about to enter the dragon's mouth, while the Saint's upper body issues out of the monster's back
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

St. Margaret's upper body breaking out of the dragon's back
Scene Description: St. Margaret's upper body breaking out of the dragon's back
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed 2006
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

view of basin - detail

St. Lawrence on the grill: still smiling and about to ask his tormentor to turn him over?
Scene Description: St. Lawrence on the grill: still smiling and about to ask his tormentor to turn him over?
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: digital image of a photograph taken 15 July 1998 by BSI
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

view of basin - detail

the Tree of life
Scene Description: the Tree of life
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - detail

under the right arch a monster; in the left arch, to the right, the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence; to the left, the head of the dragon that devours St. Margaret
Scene Description: under the right arch a monster; in the left arch, to the right, the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence; to the left, the head of the dragon that devours St. Margaret
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

design element - architectural - arcade - round arches

some of the scenes are framed by arches
Scene Description: some of the scenes are framed by arches
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of basin - interior - drain

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

view of church exterior - south view

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Baptisteria Sacra Index, 2023
Image Source: BSI - Photographed July 1998
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

view of font in context

the three fonts in the western side of the nave
Scene Description: the three fonts in the western side of the nave
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Colin Hinson, 2008
Image Source: digital photograph taken in 2006 by Colin Hinson [www.yorkshireCDbooks.com]
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

information

Font image
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Mary Harris, 2003
Image Source: digital photograph by Mary Harris (2003)
Copyright Instructions: Standing permission

INFORMATION

Font ID: 00165COT
Object Type: Baptismal Font1
Date Visited: 1998-07-15
Font Date: ca. 1130-1150?
Font Century and Period/Style: 12th century, Norman
Workshop/Group/Artisan: [cf. FontNotes]
Cognate Fonts: Very similar to the one carved for North Grimston. Same workshop.
Church / Chapel Name: Parish Church of St. Peter [orig. from Cottam]
Font Location in Church: Inside the church, in the W end of the nave, to the left of S door.
Church Patron Saint(s): St. Peter
Previous Font Location(s): Parish Church of Cottam (Notts.)
Church Notes: Church is in the village of Langtoft. It was restored in the early 1900's.
Church Address: Church Ln, Langtoft, Driffield YO25 3TN, UK
Site Location: East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, England, United Kingdom
Directions to Site: Langtoft church is located off the B1249, N of Driffield, about 50 km ENE of York
Ecclesiastic Region: Diocese of York
Historical Region: Hundred of Burton
Font Notes:
There are three entries for Langtoft [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/TA0067/langtoft/] [accessed 20 July 2014], but none mentions a cleric or church in it. Sheahan & Whellan (1857) write: ''The font is an interesting relic of ancient times''. Bond (1908) describes its sculpture as "barbaric", but St. Margaret as she emerges from the dragon's back, has just such a pigtail as the nobleman's three daughters on the late 12th-century font in Winchester Cathedral. Cox & Harvey (1907) call it highly remarkable. Home (1908) describes the carvings as "wonderfully crude" and identifies most of the scenes. The basin well is lined with lead. This font used to be in the small village of Cottam but was moved to the church of St. Peter at Langtoft. A cable moulding rings the upper edge of the bowl. The base or plinth is modern. Nordström (1984) mentions ":the martyrdom of St. Andrew and the incident of St. Margaret and the Dragon [...] in opposition to the Fall of Man". Mann (1985) finds the program "quite easy to decipher. The underlying theme of the whole piece seems to be man's fall and his ways of attaining redemption, through suffering and patience", and proceeds to describe: 1)Adam & Eve at either side of the Tree of Knowledge with its serpent; 2)to one side, a tree, the Tree of Life; 3) to the other, the martyrdom of St Andrew on the saltire cross, the men to the sides the executioners; 4) next is a dragon; 5)then is the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, on the grille, being speared by an executioner; 6)St. Margaret of Antioch. Mann (ibid.) suggests a date ca. 1130-1150 for this font, as well as for the fonts at Cottam and Cowlam.
Credit and Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Colin Hinson, of www.yorkshireCDbooks.com, to Mary Harris, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, to Timothy Marlow, and to Lionel and Diana Wall [www.greatenglishchurches.co.uk] for their photographs of this font.

COORDINATES

UTM: 30U 666088 5996416
Latitude & Longitude (Decimal): 54.08909, -0.46054
Latitude & Longitude (DMS): 54° 5′ 20.72″ N, 0° 27′ 37.94″ W

MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS

Material: stone, sandstone
Font Shape: cylindrical, unmounted
Basin Interior Shape: round
Basin Exterior Shape: round
Drainage System: centre hole in bowl & base [plus a (later?) hole slightly off-centre]
Drainage Notes: lead-lined
Rim Thickness: 15-16 cm
Diameter (inside rim): 55 cm
Diameter (includes rim): 85 cm
Basin Depth: 40 cm
Height of Basin Side: 70 cm
Basin Total Height: 70 cm
Font Height (less Plinth): 70 cm
Font Height (with Plinth): 100 cm
Notes on Measurements: BSI on-site

REFERENCES

  • Betjeman, John, An American's Guide to English Parish Churches (including the Isle of Man), New York: McDowell, Obolensky, 1958, p. 408
  • Bond, Francis, Fonts and Font Covers, London: Waterstone, 1985 c1908, p. 37, 143 and ill. on p. 39
  • Cox, John Charles, English Church Furniture, New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1907, p. 228, 229
  • Davies, J.G., The Architectural Setting of Baptism, London: Barrie and Rockliff, 1962, p. 64
  • Friar, Stephen, The Sutton Companion to Churches, Thrupp, Stroud (Gloucs.): Sutton Publishing, 2003, p. 202
  • Hobson, Bernard, The East Riding of Yorkshire (with York), Cambridge: At the University Press, 1924, p. 110
  • Home, Gordon, Yorkshire, Painted and Described, London: A. & C. Black, 1908, p. 162, 166
  • Mann, Faith, Early Medieval Church Sculpture: a Study of 12th Century Fragments in East Yorkshire, Beverley: Hutton Press, 1985, p. 10, 23, 30, 37-44
  • Nordström, Folke, Mediaeval Baptismal Fonts: An Iconographical Study, Stockholm: Universitetet i Umeå, 1984, p. 118, 127
  • Sheahan, James Joseph, History and topography of the city of York; the East Riding of Yorkshire and a portion of the West Riding […], Beverley: printed for the publishers by John Green, Market Place, 1857, vol. 2, p. 484 / [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pnEMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA484&lpg=PA484&dq=lowthorpe+church+font&source=web&ots=voqP9Oob0V&sig=eG9y4rQzjY9QXoOVBZVVv4af2Sc&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPP5,M1] [accessed 2 July 2008]
  • Tyrrell-Green, E., Baptismal Fonts Classified and Illustrated, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge: The Macmillan Co., 1928, p. 59, 60