Braunston / Branston / Brantesdon / Braunston-in-Rutland / Brauntesdon (Rutland)

No entry found for this Braunston in the Domesday survey. In a brief contribution to the Leicestershire and Rutland Notes and Queries and Antiquarian [...], (vol. 1, 1889-1891: 274-275), Benjamin Barratt, vicar, writes: "The most interesting feature in the recent restoration of this Church is the recovery of the ancient font which long ago was turned out of the Church, and within the memory of people now living in the parish stood on the north side of the porch, and was used for catching rain water, until a former Vicar shocked at the profane way in which it was used, had it buried (it was said in the Church yard), but no one knew where. However, it was thought that it would not be carried far away from the place where it was known to have stood, especially as report said it was both large and heavy. As there was a very strong desire that it should be found if possible and restored to its ancient place, when search was made for it near the place where it was known to have stood, it was soon found. But the joy at finding it was soon tinged with a touch of sadness when it was discovered that it had got broken into three pieces. Still it was resolved to restore it, as it was undoubtedly the font which had stood in the Church for centuries, and in which many generations of the villagers had been baptised, and moreover the substitute put in its place was a miserable affair which required to be propped to keep it upright, and was altogether unsuitable for the purpose for which it was intended. The ancient font has now been thoroughly repaired and restored to its ancient use, and it is worthy of remark that on the day the Church was re-opened no less than thirteen children were baptised in it." A font here is described in the Victoria County History (Rutland, vol. 2, 1935): "The font is of 12th-century date, and consists of a large rectangular bowl […] with plain sides and shafted angles with cushion capitals and moulded bases; the capitals have a line of pellets at the angle." The VCH is footnoted: "The bowl measures 2 ft. 10 in. by 2 ft. 7 in. and is 22 in. deep. It was at one time turned out of the church and buried in the churchyard, but was recovered in 1890. It was then in three pieces, but has been repaired and placed on a new stem (Leic. and Rutl. N. and Q. i, 274; Rutl. Mag. v, 200)."