Braunston-in-Rutland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Braunston-in-Rutland is a village and civil parish in the county of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. In 2001 the village had a population of 392.

Braunston is located roughly three miles south-west of the county town of Oakham, and is close to the Rutland Water reservoir.

[edit] The Braunston "Goddess"

The enigmatic "goddess"

A curious sculpted stone stands in the churchyard, at the west end of the church, close to the tower. Known as the Braunston "Goddess", it was found in about 1920 when the church doorstep needed to be replaced. When the slab was lifted this carving was revealed on the underside. There has been considerable speculation as to its age and meaning, and its original position as part of the church building, or whether it may even predate the church. It is clearly not a gargoyle as it has no drainage channel. It may have had an apotropaic purpose. It has facial and stylistic similarities with some Irish Sheela na Gigs, but it has no genitalia.