Eardisley and Castle Frome Fonts

Eardisley and Castle Frome Fonts

The fonts at Eardisley and Castle Frome undeniably originated from the same mason's yard, if not crafted by the same hand. The similarities between these two fonts are striking, particularly the carving of the two lions representing the apostle Mark, with his tail between his legs. Both churches, dating back to the early 12th century, house these remarkable fonts, which, according to Pevsner, were added a bit later.

Eardisley Font

The Eardisley font is particularly notable for its depiction of the Harrowing of Hell, with Jesus pulling Adam from the entanglement of evil. Jesus is shown with a cross in one hand and a dove on his shoulder. On the other side of the font, two men are depicted in combat, with one knight stabbing the other through the leg with a spear. This scene is believed to represent the duel between Sir Ralph de Baskerville and his father-in-law, Lord Clifford of Clifford Castle, in 1127. The story goes that Clifford had stolen some of Baskerville's land, and during the duel, Baskerville mortally wounded Clifford. Seeking pardon from the Pope in Rome, Baskerville donated the disputed lands to the Cliffords and gave money to the church. Deeply remorseful, he later became a monk and spent his remaining days in repentance at the priory in Gloucester.

Castle Frome Church

The church at Castle Frome, believed to have been built around AD 1125 by Roger de Lacey, is a surprisingly plain example of Herefordshire architecture from this period, especially given its ties to the Herefordshire School of Romanesque Carving. While it retains some Norman arch doors and windows, it has undergone later Gothic alterations.

The Castle Frome font is believed to date from no later than 1170, according to Pevsner. It features carvings of the four evangelists and the baptism of Christ, with tangled vines symbolising the struggle against evil. Pevsner describes it as "perhaps the most remarkable font anywhere" and "one of the masterworks of Romanesque sculpture," capable of capturing attention in any country. Whether Castle Frome or Eardisley boasts the better example is a matter of personal preference.

The Intriguing Base

Of particular interest to me is the font's base, constructed from a much darker stone, likely high-quality Raglan Mudstone. I refer to it as the "Hereford Sphinx," featuring three preaching men with chevroned armour and a curious body shape. I believe this base predates the main font and may depict the hind legs of a figure in an upright seated position. Further modelling and investigation are needed to expand upon this hypothesis.

For those interested in exploring more, feel free to check out my Sketchfab page, where I am recording the Herefordshire School of Romanesque Carving.

Note: My sketch of the font is a work in progress. Sitting on the floor in the cold while drawing the intricate vines was quite a challenge!