Elsfield / Esefeld

Described in the Guide to the Architectural Antiquities in the Neighbourhood of Oxford (1846): "The Font is plain Norman, of good dimensions, with a circular basin; it rests on one step". Noted in Kelly's Oxford Directory of 1911 [www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/d.asp] [accessed 30 June 2007]: "the font is a plain Norman work, with a circular basin, and a simple base". The Victoria County History (Oxford, vol. 5, 1957) notes: "The church of Elsfield was in existence by 1122, when it was granted by Henry I to St. Frideswide's, [...] and perhaps earlier, since the canons of St. Frideswide's claimed that the church of Elsfield was given to them by King Ethelred in his foundation charter of 1004. [...] The earliest surviving work, dating from about 1170–80, is the chancel arch, while the font, which is of a plain tub-shape on a square base may date from before 1200." Not mentioned in Sherwood & Pevsner (1974). The font appears dated "ca. 1200" by Anthony de Vere, Vicar, in July 1981, in the Parish's web site page [www.stnicsmarston.freeserve.co.uk/apges/elsfield3.html]. The font shows two distinct volumes: a basin that is bucket-shaped and totally plain except for a bevel at the upper rim, and a lower volume, cylindrical and equally plain except for the bevelled top; the whole is raised on a circular plinth with a short rectangular 'kneeling stone' extension. A modern cover of wood with iron reinforcements appears on the basin. [We are grateful to the Rev. Tony Price, of Elsfield St. Thomas', and to John Wilkes, of www.allthecotswolds.com, for their photographs of this font]