Bransgore / Bransgoer / Bransgrove

The Victoria County History (Hampshire, vol. 5, 1912) notes: "The early 16thcentury font, which is said to have come from Christchurch, is octagonal, with a monogram J D, perhaps for 'John Draper,' Prior of Christchurch. The stem is patched, the base is modern and the whole has been much scraped. " The St. Mary's Bransgore site [https://sites.google.com/site/stmarysbransgore/church-history/st-mary-s] [accessed 21 March 2012] notes: "The beautiful font in St Mary’s Church was given to the parish by Christchurch Priory. It was carved around 1509 for Prior John Draper - the last Prior of Christchurch before the Reformation. His initials JD are to be found under the corners of the bowl at its base. The font is still used for baptisms on a regular basis and was restored and re-dedicated on Easter Day 2004 By Revd Canon Patrick Elkins to give thanks for the Christian ministry of all church people over many years."