Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/276

 160 LEADEN PONT IN BROOKLAND CHURCH, KENT. It will be seen by the accompanying illustrations, that the subjects represented are, in the upper arcade, the signs of the Zodiac ; and, in the lower, occupations proper to the months. The names of the Zodiacal signs are placed on the upper, and those of the months on the lower arches. Similar representations are frequently found in illuminated MSS., and calendars of various ages, on the Norman font at Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk,^ and I believe, upon some other fonts, — as also upon the misereres, and sculptured ornaments in our cathedrals and churches. Several of the figures having been injured, and all very much clogged by paint, the casts, from which the accom- panying woodcuts have been prepared, are not as distinct as might be wished, but the occupations intended to be repre- sented, can, in most cases, be easily made out. The figures are as follows : — January. — A figure, which seems to be represented as seated behind a table, in the right hand is an object, probably a drinking-horn, which looks like a short staff. What the object in the left hand may be meant for, I cannot deter- mine.^ The head of this figure is very large, and has much the appearance of having two faces. Can an allusion to Janus be intended, represented as holding the augural staff I This impersonation of the month is, however, quite in accordance with the authority of other middle-age representa- tions, and exemplifies the quaint verses, found in the calendar, as given in some copies of the " Hor?e, ad usum Sarum." " In Jano claris calidisque cibis potiaris, Atque decens potus post fercula sit tibi notus." Zodiacal sign, AQUARIUS. A figure pouring water : the legend quite indistinct. February. — A seated figure wearing a hood, and warming his hands over a fire. The projecting hood of the chimney is shown. Zodiacal sign, two fishes. — PISCES. Of the legend, only PI ... . can be clearly made out. March .^ — A figure with a hood drawn over his head, mittens or cuffed gloves, such as are used in hedging, and what seems 2 See the Memoir by Pegge, and tlie much addicted to drinking, usually de- plate representing this font, Archacologia, j)icted January as a man seated at a table, vol. X., p. 1 77. and holding a goblet of ale to his mouth. •'* F3rady (Clavis Calendai-in, vol. i.) re- Compare the figure drinking from a horn, marks that the Anglo-Saxons, who were on the Burnham font.