Keswick nr. Norwich / Chesewic / Kesewic / Keswic

Blomefield (1805-1810) writes: "The church was dedicated to All the Saints" [NB: footnoted "in campo de Chesewic inter terram ecclesie omnium Sanctorum de Chesewic et pontem de Herteford, et terra liberi, et est ex dono Dni. Alexandri de Vallibus Dni. de Chesewic. E Cartâ sans date. Vol. iv. p. 441."]. Blomefild (ibid.) names the first two recorded rectors of Kesewick, "Guaidus the priest" and "Alex. de Vaux", without date but both prior to 1300; Alexander de Vaux [aka 'Vallibus'? 'Vals'?] succeeded Sir John de Vaux (and widow Margery) about 1234, so there is documentary proof that the church at Keswick had been around for a while before that date. In 1597 this parish was amalgamated with Intwood and, adds Blomefield (ibid.): "this church was immediately pulled down. The steeple is round, and is still standing, being very small, as was the church, which had a nave, chancel, and south porch; the churchyard is ploughed up to the walls; it stands on a hill between Hertford-bridges and Intwood, on the south side of the river, and the ruins are seen at some distance". The present font here is noted and illustrated in Knott (2007): "As for the font, I have never seen anything quite like it. I couldn't decide if it looked more as if it had come from an Ancient Greek church or a garden centre. But being unusual it suits this tiny space, which is quite unlike any other." It is an object closer to a horrid garden ornament than to a font: the basin a sort of urn with handles that are totally out of proportion; the base with four small incongruous lions that resemble frogs about to jump; square lower base; wooden plinth. The wooden cover is round, and probably of the same date. [NB: the fabric of the church goes back to the 12th century, and the round tower could be Anglo-Saxon, but we have no information on the earlier font(s)].