Orleton nr. Ludlow / Alretune

There is an entry for this Orleton [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SO4967/orleton/] [accessed 15 February 2015], but it mentions neither cleric nor church in it. Lewis' Dictionary of 1848 notes "a curious font" in this church. Listed in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a noteworthy baptismal font of the Norman period. Described and illustrated in Bond (1908) as a cylindrical baptismal font of the Norman period; the basin has an arcade of rounded arches complete with capitals and bases; a standing figure occupies each arch; the short base is plain except for a roll moulding. Described and illustrated in Tyrrell-Green (1928) as a tub-shaped font of the Norman period; each arch of the arcade that ornaments the basin sides is occupied by a standing figure. Described and illustrated in the inventory of Herefordshire (1931-1939) where it is dated to the early 12th century; this same source (ibid.) identifies St. Peter as one of the figures on the sides. English Heritage [Listing NGR: SO4943567174] (1959) dates the font to the 12th century, a work of the Hereford School. The round tapering basin has an arcade of nine triple-headed arches on columns with substantial capitals and bases all around; each arch is occupied by a male figure; all figures hold a book in his left hand, while the right holds a symbol of their identity: Peter holds a large key and is therefore easily identified; others are harder to recognise [e.g.: two figures hold a short sword or long knife, and could probably be Paul and Bartholomew, but, who is who?]. The basin is raised on a modern moulded lower base. The flat round cover is decorated with metal and is probably Victorian. Listed and illustrated in the CRSBI [https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/view-item?i=5146] [accessed 12 Hanuary 2023]: "Font. It is cylindrical in shape, tapering slightly downwards and stands on a modern base in the SW corner of the nave. It was formerly white-washed and the surface is pitted in places. The carved decoration consists of nine figures under a continuous arcade made of plain columns standing on bases of reversed cushion form, very similar to the bases of the W window at Kilpeck. The capitals are bulbous with moulded neckings and abaci. The round-headed arches simulate 3 orders. Within each arcade is a tightly-fitting, standing bearded figure, holding a closed book pressed by the L hand against the breast. Each figure wears a long tubular tunic with a projecting hem at the bottom, below which are two feet pointing downwards. The tunic is partly hidden by a mantle with folds marked by parallel grooves. One of the figures is St Peter, holding a key and the figure on his L appears to be bald and is therefore St Paul.. Thus, it is safe to assume that the nine figures are the apostles. With the exception of St Paul, all figures have the hair either parted in the centre or else arranged in three rows of curls. Similar curls occur also on the short beards. In addition to the books, four of the figures hold short objects, perhaps candles, and in this they resemble some of the figures on the voussoirs at Brinsop. Three of the apostles on the font hold handfuls of drapery in the R hand […] The font is the only one of cylindrical shape in the Hereford School. Curiously it is not mentioned in Thurlby (1999)." [NB: there are two Orleton in H&W; one of them may have in the past been part of Shropshire, which would account for Cox & Harvey's (1907) inclusion of a Norman font in this county under Orleton --resulting in two Norman baptismal fonts in two Orletons]