Hunstanton / Hunestanestuna / Hunestatuna / Hunestuna / Old Hunstanton

There are five entries related to Hubstanton [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/TF6841/hunstanton/] [accessed 3 April 2014], one of which reports a church in it. Blomefield (1805-1810) writes: "The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a large regular building, with a north and south isle, and nave, and a chancel, all covered with lead, and at the west end of the north isle, is a strong foursquare tower, with one bell. [...] The Church was a rectory". Blomefield (ibid.) does not mention the earlier church here, but notes that the right and patronage of this church was granted to a priory, as was frequently done at the time, so the first recorded encumbent of this church was "Simon de Wyckford instituted vicar, nominated by the Bishop of Norwich, and presented by the abbot and convent of Haghemon", in 1306. The 'Building news and architectural review' (vol. 9, 1862: 273) notes an ancient and remarkable font in this church. Bell (1927) lists an 1839 water-colour drawing of this font by Miles Edmund Cotman in the Bulwer Collection. The 6 x 8 3/4 in. water-colour, signed and dated 1838 on the back, was advertised for sale in www.chrisbeetles.com/gallery/picture.php?pic=44309 [accessed 6 August 2009] for £1750.00]. Described in Paley (1844) where it is illustrated with an engraving by Thomas Orlando Sheldon Jewitt (1799-1869). Late-Norman, 13th-century, square-basin, of the 'cushion capital' type, supported by a central pedestal and four corner shafts; plain square lower base and plinth. One side of the basin has an indented plain circular panel which Bond (1908) suggests was probably intended to be filled with painted and gilded gesso or such complement. In Pevsner & Wilson (1999). The web site of the Saxonshore Benefice [source: www.saxonshorebenefice.fsnet.co.uk] states that the font is one of only three objects left of the old church built by the Bishop of Elham in 1038. This font, much restored, is still in use today. On-site notes: heavily restored font with four corner octagonal shafts and one broad central cylindrical column; no ornamentation, save on one side of the basin, the south side, which has a zig-zag circle, and on the capitals of the corner shafts of the base, which are ornamented with acanthus leaf motif. [NB: it is not known whether the Chapel of St. Edmund, dated to the 13th century and located near the lighthouse, ever had a font].