Wirksworth No. 1 / Werchesuorde / Werchesuuorde / Werchesvorde

There are two entries for Wirksworth [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SK2854/wirksworth/] [accessed 23 February 2015], one of which, in the lordship and tenancy of King William, mentions both a cleric and a church in it. Cox (1875-1877) writes: "ancient font of early thirteenth century design. There is only the large circular bowl now remaining, with the capitals of the four shafts upon which it originally stood attached to it. It is of unusual size, being two feet ten inches in diameter, and two feet in depth. It now stands in the north-west corner of the north transept. Probably it was mutilated and ejected from the church in the time of the Commonwealth." [cf. Index entry for Wirksworth No. 2 for the replacement fot of 1662]. Illustrated in Bond (1908) as the early font of two at this church; it is somewhat similar in shape to the ones at Youlgreave and Catthorpe, a large plain cauldron-like bowl resting on a round central stem and four shafts, also round; the whole is raised on a modern square plinth decorated with an inscription; the rim of the bowl protrudes markedly but is damaged and broken at several spots; the shafts of the base have roll mouldings forming capitals and bases. Noted in Font (1978): "Font [...] Norman, a large, plain, impressive cauldron". [cf.Index entry for Wirksworth No. 2 for a later (Restoration) font in this church]