Look around you. Much of Romsey Abbey was built in the Late Romanesque or Norman style. The work, which is characterised by round arches and massive pillars, started in about 1120 at the east end and, when work stopped, a temporary wall was built. The three bays at this end of the nave were built in the Early English style between 1240 and 1260. Work started at the west end and joined onto the earlier walls. Look at the join between the two styles; can you see the sudden change in the curve of the arch caused by mismeasurement?
The Font dates from 1912 and was the gift of the Vicar, James Cooke-Yarborough, in ‘happy memory’ of his son, who died aged 3.
As well as the starting point of your visit, the Font is also the place of baptism (christening) and is the starting point for many people on their journey of faith.
Look at the flags or standards under the west window. These are the Mountbatten Standards. The one to your right was flown in Singapore in 1945 when Lord Louis Mountbatten was Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia. The one to your left was flown in Delhi when Mountbatten, by now Earl Mountbatten of Burma, was the last Viceroy of India.
Take a few steps south-west from the font to the memorial to Sir William Petty.
