Braunston Goddess
The Braunston Goddess is a stone female figure of unknown age who stands in the graveyard of All Saint's Church in Braunston, what used to be the smallest independent administrative unit ( Unitary Authority ) in Rutland , England .
Its original purpose is unknown, although it is somewhat reminiscent of the "Hunky Punks of Somerset ". The character is not a Sheela-na gig . It lay face down in front of the church door for many years before it was rediscovered and erected at the foot of the church tower in the 1920s . The cemetery is on a round hill and may have been a pagan cult area.
The female figure shows a grotesque head. It can represent an Iron Age or Celtic goddess figure. When this area was “Christianized,” she may have been accepted into the church to encourage locals to attend the early Christian church. However, the memory of such a church has been lost. The first recorded church at this point dates from the time of the Normans . It was replaced in the 14th century before being demolished in 1848 and the material used to build the current church.
literature
- Jennifer Westwood: Albion: A Guide to Legendary Britain 1986
Web links
Coordinates: 52 ° 39 ′ 2.4 ″ N , 0 ° 46 ′ 15.1 ″ W.