Milton Bryan / Middeltone / Mildentone / Milton Bryant / Mydelton

There are two entries for Milton [Bryan] [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://opendomesday.org/place/SP9730/milton-bryan/] [accessed 22 September 2015], neither of which mentions cleric or church in it. The Victoria County History (Bedfordshire, vol. 3, 1912) notes: "The church of Milton Bryant was granted by Robert son of Bryan to Merton Priory shortly after its foundation, in the reign of Henry II [1184-1189] [...] Near the entrance to the south transept is an interesting and early coffin-lid, probably of the 10th or 11th century, discovered when excavating for the tower foundations. [...] In the south wall of the nave are two small round-headed 12th-century windows [...] The font is circular, dating from the 12th century, with four rough pilasters on a modern pedestal." The CRSBI (2015) cautiously remarks: "VCH suggests that the plain font may be 12thc." The 'Milton Bryan Church Repairs and Additions' page in the Bedford County Council site [www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/CommunityAndLiving/ArchivesAndRecordOffice/CommunityArchives/MiltonBryan/MiltonBryanChurchRepairsAndAdditions.aspx] [accessed 22 September 2015] reproduces notes from an article on Milton Bryan which appeared on 5th July 1845 in the Northampton Mercury ["WA" was a pseudonym for Woburn Abbey librarian John Martin]; it notes: "The font is in its proper situation, but it is unfortunately painted."