Braunston-in-Rutland

Braunston-in-Rutland is a village and civil parish in the county of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. The population of the civil parish was 392 at the 2001 census, including Brooke and increasing to 502 at the 2011 census.^[3] Leicestershire lies on the parish's western boundary

Braunston-in-Rutland
All Saints' Church
Braunston-in-Rutland Location within Rutland
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.5 km2) [1]
Population	392 2001 Census[2]
• Density	157/sq mi (61/km2)
OS grid reference	SK834069
• London	84 miles (135 km) SSE
Unitary authority	Rutland
Shire county	Rutland
Ceremonial county	Rutland
Region	East Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	OAKHAM
Postcode district	LE15
Dialling code	01572
Police	Leicestershire
Fire	Leicestershire
Ambulance	East Midlands
UK Parliament	Rutland and Melton
List of places UK England Rutland 52.65°N 0.77°W / 52.65; -0.77

The village's name means 'farm/settlement of Brant'. Alternatively, the personal name could be 'Brandr', a Scandinavian name.^[4]

Braunston is located roughly three miles (4.8 km) south-west of the county town of Oakham. The River Gwash flows through the village. The village retains two public houses, The Old Plough, and the 17th-century Blue Ball Inn.

The enigmatic "goddess"

All Saints' Church

All Saints' Church has a circular churchyard. A 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, the carving was revealed on the underside. There has been considerable speculation ^{[by whom?]} 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 not a gargoyle as it has no drainage channel. It may have had an apotropaic purpose.^{[citation needed]}