Padstow No. 1

Noted in Lysons (1806-1833) as one of a group of Cornish fonts of similar shape as the original fonts of Bodmin, Roche, etc., “but evidently of a much later date [...]; of the Catacluse stone, have figures of the twelve apostles, carved in bas-relief, in Gothic niches, and four angels holding shields; the pillars under that of Padstow, have been removed”. Noted and illustrated in Upcott (1818) [with reference to Lyson]. 'On the ancient stone fonts of Cornwall' (1851) notes: "the fonts in the churches of S. Petroc, Padstow ; and S. Merryn. They are precisely similar in every respect, and are constructed of a dark stone, called in the neighbourhood " Cataclense Stone." The bowl is round, having four projecting figures of the Evangelists, and between each of these three elegant trefoiled niches, containing the images of the Twelve Apostles in a very perfect state. The bottom of the bowl is moulded, and has four-leaved flowers in the hollows. It rests on a plain central shaft. Recently the angular shafts, which support the Evangelists, and had been removed, have been restored, but not altogether satisfactorily." Lewis' Dictionary of 1848 notes "a richly-sculptured font" in this church. Murray's Handbook for the traveller […] (1865) notes: "The font, with an arcade and figures of the 12 apostles, is ancient, with the exception of the 4 side shafts. It is of 'Caraclew' stone (i.e. Car-a-Clew - grey rock). Most of the ornamental work, door-jambs, mullions, window-dressings, and fonts, of this district are made of Caraclew, a good stone, but of an ugly cold slaty grey colour. This font was once regarded by the inhabitants as endued with a marvelous property, which was held in high esteem by the 'mauvais sujets' of the town. This was nothing less than the virtue of preserving those who had been baptized in it from the gallows. About 50 years ago, however, much to their discomfiture, a man named Elliot, who had been duly christened in it, was convicted of robbing the mail and hanged." Wilson's Gazetteer of 1870-1872 notes "a slatey catacleuze font, decorated with figures of the twelve apostles". Listed in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a baptismal font of the Decorated period. In Cox (1912), with the font at St. Merryn as similar. Entry for PADSTOW in the on-line Encyclopedia Britannica mentions "an ancient font" in the Church of St. Petrock. Cox (1912) lists this as a 15th-century font made of "dark Catacleuse stone, sometimes mistaken for Purbeck". Noted in Pevsner (1970): "Font. Excellent work of the C15, Catacleuse stone, by the Master of St Endellion; octagonal, with demi-figures of angels at the corners and the twelve Apostles in niches in between. It corresponds with the one at St Merryn." [NB: Pevsner describes the basin as octagonal, but it appears cylindrical, with four angle columns]. In spite of the early dating by Cox & Harvey, the font is most likely of the 14th or 15th century, the date of the present church. Rees (2003) gives its date as the 14th century. The Padstow St Petroc's parish web site [www.padstowparishchurch.org.uk/padstockchurch.htm] informs that: "There is some careful restoration to west side, as it was damaged by vandals. The sure sign of a medieval font are the remains of metal fastenings on the top." [NB: the corner colonnettes on the font now [2005] did not show in Lysons' illustration; they are a modern restoration]. [We are grateful to Rev. Fr. Christopher Malkinson and the Padstow Parish [www.padstowparishchurch.org.uk] for the recent [May 2005] photographs of this font -- We are also grateful to the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library for access to the copy of Lysons’ Magna Britannia, and to Jim Ingram, of the Preservation Services, Robarts Library, for the digital imaging of Lysons’ illustrations]. [cf. Index entry for Padstow No. 2 for a holy-water stoup in this church]