Churchstanton / Churchstaunton / Church Stanton / Church Staunton

Described in Clarke (1922): "The angles of the square font have projections which were evidently intended to be worked into masks, for they are not shaped as at Stowford, where the corbel-shaped blocks of the chamfer are well finished off. The font dates from the thirteenth century. The bowl was broken horizontally about half-way down and mended; it is supported on five shafts. The corner projections are about 7 inches long; they have and angular profile and rounded top with a chamfer below. The central shaft appears to be original, also its base, which is octofoil. These parts, as well as the bowl and plinth, are of Ham Hill stone; the plinth is built up of small blocks, and stands on a chamfered sub-base. The corner shafts are limestone. The bowl has its old lead lining; some pieces of stone are broken away on the western side; on the east about an inch is cut away, and there are three orifices which may have supported a book desk." Described in Pevsner (1958): "Norman, square, and roughly hewn at the angles for heads to be carved. The intended design is of the Cornwall type of Bodmin. A description by J.W. Barnsley, in 1966, has been posted in the Parish web site [www.blacdown-hills.net/parishchests/churchstanton/doctype/building/churchnotes.htm]: "The font has an unusual square bowl of Ham Stone which is Norman, standing on Perbec [sic] Marble pillars. The bowl bears the marks of a fitted 15th century cover [a book desk to Clark, supra] which was kept locked".