Derbyshire Irch^ological 



atural |J(istory jociety. 



Kuscnjjttou on tljc ffont at <£fjelmovton. 



• By C. S. Greaves, Q.C., M.A. 



N the Church of Chelmorton, near Buxton, there is a 

 very ancient Font, which, including the base, is four 

 feet three inches high, and two feet in diameter across 

 the top. The upper part is octagonal, and there are letters 

 or symbols upon the eight sides. Much doubt has existed as 

 to their meaning, and many conjectures have been made, but 

 hitherto no satisfactory solution has been offered. My attention 

 was called to the subject some years since, and from time to 

 time I have met with statements that have appeared to throw 

 light upon baptismal fonts, and have helped me to the con- 

 clusion at which I have arrived respecting this font. Some 

 of these were previously unknown to me, and possibly may be 

 to others ; but, I confess, my reading has not been considerable 

 upon such subjects. 



The first point I met with was in Camden. In his notice 



VOL. I. 2 



