Darsham

Noted in Suckling (1846-1848) with a description of the font: "octangular font, the panels of which bear -- 1, the symbols of the Trinity; 3, the arms of Edward the Confessor; 5, a shield with three crowns, probably the arms of East Anglia; 7, the symbols of the Crucifixion; the intermediate sides being sculpted with lions. Round the base is the following legend, still legible, though considerably mutilated: ORATE P. AIA DNI. GALFRI. SYMOND, RECTORIS DE BRASWELL, Q. ISTA FONTEM FIERI FECIT IN HONORE DEI [NB: abbreviation signs are present in the original transcription]. This legend satisfactorily fixes the date of this font, within the short period of six years; as Galfridus Symonds was instituted to Bradwell in 1404, and was succeeded by Thomas Boof, in 1410. He was called Galfridus Symonds, alias Geoffry de Dersham, having been born in this village, to which he presented this lasting memorial of his piety. He was rector of Lopham. in Norfolk, which he resigned in 1404, for Bradwell, and is frequently mentioned as Sir Geoffry Symond of Dersham." Noted in Parker (1855) as a fine font. Described in Cox & Harvey (1907) in much the terms used in Suckling above. In Bond (1908, who quotes Cox & Harvey.