Addington nr. West Malling / Eddintune / Eddintvne

There is an entry for this Addington [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [https://opendomesday.org/place/TQ6558/addington/] [accessed 8 February 2026]; it mentions a church in it. The entry for this church in Historic England [Listing NGR: TQ6530458877] notes: "Church. Circa 1100, c.1300, c.1400 with C16 alterations and additions and restoration of 1858" but mentions no font in it. The entry for this church in KAS (Kent Archaeological Society) [https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/notes/st-margarets-church-addington] [accessed 12 February 2026] notes: "a fine tower arch, and under this is a plain octagonal font", but gives no date for it. Probably modern, of the 19th-century restoration of the building.
A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 8 February 2026) mentions a number of saltire crosses carved in the lead lining of the font: "Ritual protection marks and apotropaics cut into the lead of the font at St Margaret's, Addington, Kent. Believed to have been established by the 11th century, the church possesses protective saltire crosses all around the north window jamb of the chancel. The lead on the font is covered in a multitude of tiny saltire crosses (usually deployed as an 'occlusive' symbol around entrance ways), several conjoined 'VV's' (known as a Marian mark) and smallest (and most delicate) compass drawn circles with radiating lines. The connection between the Virgin Mary, childbirth and circular motifs on or around the Baptismal font has been explored by Matthew Champion in 'Medieval Graffiti’ (2015)." [NB: since the font is modern the lead lining is probably modern as well].