Ashford / Aisseford / Esforde

There are two entries for this Ashford in the Domesday survey [https://opendomesday.org/place/SS5335/ashford/] [accessed 27 May 2019] neither of which mentions cleric or church in it. Clarke (1920) reports: "This font has a unique feature. The corners are chamfered off, producing a plain space 3 inches wide at the rim, spreading out lower to the width of about 5 inches, and following the curve of the scallop. This feature forms a link between the plain cushion bowls of the early type as described in last year's paper [cf. bib. ref. for Clarke (1919)] and the scalloped cushion bowl with which we are now dealing. I have not found it in any other example. There are three cones on each side, and between each two cones is a dart. The cones are completely hidden under the bowl; this arrangement and the presence of the darts shows that it is among the latest of the group, but the transitional character of the sides of the bowl, with their resemblance to the plain cushion has a significance which must not be overlooked. Between bowl and shaft is a necking, a flattened round; the base is similar; the form is that known as 'pudding moulding'. The font is made of the grey stone of the district; there is agreat deal of paint on it. The hollow of the bowl is square; it is lead-lined." The entry for this church in Historic England [Listing NGR: SS5335035357] notes; "Parish Church, incorporating mediaeval furnishings and fabric to base of tower, but tower rebuilt 1798 [...] Remainder entirely rebuilt 1854 with chancel and south porch completed in late 1850s/early 1860s. [...] Undecorated lead-lined font of a square bowl with chamfered corners on round column and square base, probably late Norman."