Billesdon / Billesdone

There is an entry for Billesdone [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SK7102/billesdon/] [accessed 21 October 2014], but it mentions neither cleric nor church in it. The font here is noted and illustrated in Upcott (1818). Listed in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a baptismal font of the Transitional period. The Victoria County History (Leicestershire, vol. 5, 1964) notes: "Billesdon church was given to Leicester Abbey by William de Syfrewast before 1162, [...] and it is clear that by 1220 the abbey had possession of both the revenues and the advowson. [...] The earliest parts of the building are the base of the tower and the north arcade of the nave, both of which were probably built before 1250. [...] The circular moulded font may [...] date from the 13th century [...] The oak font cover was probably provided about 1607 when the lack of one was commented on by the archdeacon at his visitation." In Pevsner (1984): "Font. Circular, E[arly] E[nglish], with a few big mouldings, rather like those of a magnified capital." The slightly tapering moulded basin rests now on an octagonal lower base that appears modern, and a two-step plinth that is definitely modern. The wooden cover consists of a round platform base with eight tapering sides towards an acorn-like finial; date unknown.