Freiston / Freston / Frieston / Fristune

There is an entry for Freiston [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://opendomesday.org/place/TF3743/freiston/] [accessed 5 December 2015], but it mentions neither cleric nor church in it. Allen (1833) writes: "The font is octagonal, and has a curious and elegant covering of carved wood; it is raised three steps above the pavement. On the upper edge of the font are the remains of the fastenings by which it was formerly locked down". The cover is noted in Paley (1844) as an exquisite example of "the lofty-spire canopies". Only the cover is mentioned in Bond (1908) as one of a group of "fine examples of Gothic font covers" having for finial a statue of "the Blessed Virgin". The font-cover is noted in Howard & Crossley (1919). Described in Pevsner, Harris and Antram (1989): "Font. Perp[endicular], octagonal, with nice, very narrow, slender blank arches, four to a panel, and tiny quatrefoils over (cf. Leverton). The font base has two kneeling stones (cf. Benington). -- Font cover. A Perp[endicular] piece with Perp[endicular] windows set radially or fin-wise as buttresses and with intricate canopies (cf. Fosdyke)." Although no mention is made of the baptismal font, Jenkins (1999) writes that the furnishings of this church "include a superb Perpendicular font cover, an intricate confection of woodwork soaring upwards. Legend holds that it was carved by an apprentice. When his master saw its beauty, he flew into a jealous rage and struck the boy dead. The boy could ask for no finer monument." English Heritage [Listing NGR: TF3773043773] (1967) notes: "Fine C15 octagonal font on 3 steps with 2 kneeling stones and splayed base, blank trefoil panels to the sides and stem, with quatrefoils over. Splendid contemporary pierced and pinnacled wooden cover having radiating traceried windows, supporting central lantern over an open vault. Much crocketing."