Llangybi nr. Caerleon / Llangibby

The entry for this church in the RCAHM in Wales and Monmouthshire (vol. II, 1960, p. 202) reports: "Font: octagonal yellow gritstone bowl of 15th-century type, set on a modern pedestal and base. There are faint traces of paint on one facet of the bowl." Described in Newman (2000) as being an octagonal basin on whose upper rim lip are incised the date, 1662, and the names of churchwardens. "Shields on strapwork on the faces. Shafted stem." Tyrrell-Green (1928: 11) informs that "chapels were sometimes built either directly above holy wells or in such close proximity to them that a simple arrangement could be made for the water from the sacred spring to flow into a reservoir within the chapel. It is probable that these well-chapels were erected in the first instance to serve as baptisteries", which would account for the choice of this church site, as well as those at Mathern, Llanwenog, St. Cleer near Liskeard and others. The entry for this church in British Listed Buildings [https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300002669-church-of-st-cybi-llangybi#.WM0xXpJFd9A] [accessed 12 January 2020] notes: "Octagonal font with heraldic motifs, dated 1662." The entry for this church in COFLEIN [https://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/220654/details/st-cybis-church-llangybi] [accessed 12 January 2020] does nor describe the font but refers to an NMR Site File photo [493570]: "Interior, font. NA/GEN/98/046".