Thirsk No. 3 / Thresk / Throsk / Thrusken / Thurske / Thyrsk / Tresc / Tresch / Tresche / Treske

A font originally from the Hood Grange Cistercian priory is reported in Whellan (1859) in the gardens at Thirsk Hall, the manor house of Frederic Bell, Esq.: "In the pleasure grounds is an ancient stone font of curious workmanship, which was dug up some years since at Hood Grange, a few miles from Thirsk. The stone, which is square at the base, is supported at the angles by four grotesque figures, resembling those fabulous monsters called sea lions. The upper part --the basin-- is circular, and the whole is decorated with curious carvings, among which may be traced a figure, holding a book and a two edged sword; and another supporting a kind of shield bearing [an?] Agnus Dei, with its usual appendages, a staff, cross, and banner." The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland of 1868 notes that "an ancient stone font was dug up here, having a square base, and four grotesque figures supporting the angles." Bulmer's Directory of North Yorkshire (1890) mentions that "a curious old font dug up from the old priory of Newburgh [i.e. the Hood-Green or Hode-Green Cistercian priory], "is preserved in the grounds of Thirsk Hall."