Old Byland No. 2 / Begeland / Bella Landa super Moram / Bellaund

Sheahan & Whellan (1857) report an ancient font in this church, and inform that ''at the time of the Domesday Survey [i.e., 1086] there was a Church built of wood at this place'', although they state that ''the style of architecture [of the present building] is Norman''. Described in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a baptismal font of the Norman period. The Victoria County History (North Riding, vol. 2, 1923) mentions ''an old Norman font'' and, later notes: ''in the churchyard is what appears to be an early font'' [cf. Index entry for Old Byland No. 1 for the other font in this church]. Noted as Norman in Morris (1931) and Betjeman (1958). Pevsner (1985) does not mention either a font or a cover. The Parish web site [www.upperryedale.org.uk/obyland.htm] notes: "In the chancel is a rough stone basin. During the 19th century it is recorded as standing on the village green. It may date back to the Viking period, or even be Romano-British. The 18th century wooden cover on it [?] used to belong to the font." [cf. Index entry for Old Byland No. 1 for this font and cover]. At present [August 2005] the font in use is covered in a thick coat of whitewash which appears recently 'refreshed'. The font consists of a plain cylindrical basin of slightly tapering sides, raised on a plain cylindrical base; it now rests directly on the ground, without a lower base or plinth; the inner well of the basin is lead-lined and it has a central drain hole. [cf. Index entry for Scawton for a font originally from this church].