240 Font in the Church of St. George, Preshute, Wilts. 
Mortagne, (afterwards King John), the Castle and Manor of Marl- 
borough, the former of which was selected by the Prince at a later 
date (1189), as the scene of his marriage with the heiress of the Earl 
of Gloucester. It seems, therefore, very probable, in accordance with 
the tradition, that the rite of Baptism may have been administered 
to some member, or members, of his family, at the Font in the Castle 
Chapel. 
About two years ago, when the Church of Preshute was partially 
rebuilt, the Font was repaired. It is proposed, therefore, briefly 
to notice some of its more remarkable features, as well as the steps 
which were at that time taken for its preservation. 
Its form, as will be seen from the drawing, is circular; the shaft 
is quite plain, the bowl and base exhibit various mouldings of the 
Norman style, consisting chiefly of rounds, hollows, and fillets. 
The following are some of its principal measurements :— 
ftses thls ftin: 
Height of Bowhiiiee. MOVs ei. 1 aa 
Me bin Spahate sia aiefal aah deveate 0 73 2 92 
y, ay OP pscod coe. vance 0 7 
Greatest diameter of Bowl................ 3 6 
5 5 SHattyy. MSie. ee... 70 
pS dj IBaBe of. Ads saydetet (et oa 3 OF 
Diameter of interior of Bowl.............. 2 92 
epg Gl OWE cocci eco mes Mee as capie as sie io 
The size of the bowl, as will be seen by its measurement, con- 
siderably exceeds that of an ordinary Font. It was, together with 
the shaft, originally polished within as well as without, and does 
not appear to have been lined with lead, this, owing to the hardness 
of the material, not being required. In the centre is a drain. The 
edges bear some traces of the staples by means of which the cover 
was formerly fastened. ~ 
The bowl, owing to the partial decay of its material, had become 
cracked and divided into two or three separate portions. This was 
remedied by affixing a narrow band of brass, about an inch in width, 
around the circumference of the bowl, on a flat surface between 
the mouldings, near its upper edge. A considerable quantity of 
the base had also been chipped off, and, no doubt carried away by 
persons anxious to possess some memento of their visit. The whole 
