Newenden / Newedene

There is an entry for Newenden [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [https://opendomesday.org/place/TQ8327/newenden/] [accessed 21 March 2025]; it mentions neither priest nor church in it. Described and illustrated in Paley (1844) as a Tournai-type font. Noted in Hussey (1852): "The font is ancient, and very curious, being square, with carving on the sides. It has been accurately engraved for the Oxford Architectural Society." In Parker's Glossary (1850). The square basin is mounted on a base made of a broad cylindrical column and four corner half-shafts attached to it; the base of the columns is cushion-like but the capitals have foliage decoration; there is a square lower base and two large plinths square as well; the basin sides are described by Paley as "the north side, representing a dragon and a lion [...]. On the west, are grotesque animals within circles; and on the south, a lozenge ornament filled with foliage; the east side is plain." He also describes the stone as "apparently Caen stone and formed of a single block" Described in Glynne (1877). Listed by Enlart (1902) as a mounted font with a five-column base. Listed in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a noteworthy baptismal font of the Norman period. Noted in Newman (1980): "Font. A grand Late Norman piece. The square bowl stands on a thick circular stem and four attached shafts with big leaf capitals. Three faces of the bowl are carved -- E, leaves and pomegranates in a geometrical frame; S, four roundels, three with grotesque creatures in them; W, a big wyvern and a big lion licking a leaf." Described and illustrated in Drake (2003) who identifies this font as an import from the Boulonnais region of France. Drake (ibid.) also informs that this font was kept at the parish church of St. Joseph, in Rye, for some time; when Newenden reclaimed it a faithful copy was made for Rye, where the copy has remained since. Drake (ibid.) suggests the fonts at Hesdres and Tubersent as related to this font, "a plain and unequivocal link". The stone identification given in Drake (ibid.) as "Marquise ooidal limestone" is credited to Mr Robin Anderson [a qualified geologist] who conformed the lithology and structure as correct for this type of stone. Listed and illustrated in the CRSBI [https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/view-item?i=12135] [accessed 21 March 2025]: "The artefact consists of a large, lead-lined square font, resting on a round pillar with four crudely-moulded colonettes (partially restored), the whole resting on a square base and modern plinth. The colonettes have capitals with angle volutes and large, gently hollowed flatleaf motifs. The cover is missing but an iron ring on the W side of the top indicates its former presence. The W side features a wyvern and lion, in a sculptural field with tree and leaf motifs; the S side has four roundels, depicting a human face, a lion, a six-petalled flower, and a winged animal biting its tail; the E side is decorated with diapered strips enclosing pomegranate-like objects, with foliate motifs in the borders; the N side is uncarved. The tree and leaf motifs on the W side of the font bowl are reminiscent of the Water Plan in the Eadwine Psalter which could suggest a comparable date. The fact that the N side is uncarved could suggest that it was originally located against a wall. The font is notable as it is both elaborate and large for the building. Could it have been commissioned for a different building? There is a local tradition that it was brought from Rye."