Swardeston / Sucrdestuna / Suerdestuna / Swerdeston

Blomefield (1805-1810) writes: "This village, at the time of the Conqueror's survey, was in many parts [...] Swerdeston [...] was the principal one, belonged to Ordinc, a Dane, one of the Confessor's thanes or noblemen, and was then worth 66s. and the church, which had 15 acres of glebe, was appendant to it. [...] It was given by the Conqueror to Ralf de Beaufoe [...] The church, which was originally dedicated to St. Andrew; and about 1400, rededicated to St. Mary the Virgin." The only mention of a font in Blomefield is: "Tho. Aldrich of Mangrene, Esq. [...] was buried by the font in Swerdeston church", ca. 1550, and the name of the first recorded rector is given as "Nic. Jobbe." in 1318. Font and cover are noted in Pevsner & Wilson (1999): "Font. Plain, octagonal.- Font cover. C17 and very pretty. Quite open, with eight turned columns and volutes to the top." Noted and illustrated in Knott (2007). A leaflet entitled 'Swardeston Church: A Brief History and Guide for Visitors' [available in print form in the church and in electronic version at www.swardeston-parishes.org.uk/swardeston.htm] notes: "Font. Early 14th century with a plain octagonal bowl and deep lead-lined basin supported by an octagonal stem, with a 17th century oak cover, probably made by the same hand as the communion rails." The wooden cover is similar to, though not exactly of the rim buffet type; its the bottom rests on the upper rim of the font; it is completely open; probably much restored.