Maud Heath's Causey. 259 
not give: which, if he had any, is to be regretted, because it might 
perhaps have assisted in clearing up the darkness of her history, or 
might have led to something else that would have done so. But 
that Bremhill was her own proper parish we are certainly inclined 
to believe, and for these reasons. She must have had some interest 
in or connexion with that parish, (probably it was at Bremhill 
Wick), or why be at the pains to begin her causey so far within 
the bounds of it? In the next place, we have record of the name 
of Heath at Bremhill a few years after her death. Edward Heath 
was a Trustee of the causey in 1537;! and in the Wilts Musters of 
1538, the second person in the Bremhill list of “able men” is 
William Heath. This perhaps does not imply that William was of 
higher worldly rank than that respectable, yet now not so very com- 
mon one, of independent yeoman freeholder. Still, supposing Maud to 
have been related to these persons, this would raise her above 
the mere market-woman rank of the common belief. But we 
venture with all modesty to aspire yet a little higher on her behalf; 
and however loath to disturb a plausible and popular story, 
presume to take the liberty of expressing a very strong suspicion 
(for a reason to be given) that perhaps the worthy benefactress 
belonged after all to the class of gentlefolk. The reason is this. 
There is a casual note amongst Aubrey’s (sometimes very use- 
ful) memoranda, which seems to have escaped observation hithérto. 
It is in his description of the interior of Bremhill Church as it 
was to be seen in his own time, 1650-70. Mr. Bowles does not 
appear to have known of Aubrey’s notes. At least he makes no 
allusion whatever to them. The windows of the aisles, says 
Aubrey, had once been filled with good old stained glass. Part of 
this was stillremaining. In the north aisle the five works of mercy, 
as Burial of the Dead, &c., &c.; with coats of arms, amongst 
which those of a Robertus Russell. In the south aisle, all the 
windows of which had been very good, there were still left “12 
lights, containing the 12 apostles, each with his symbol of the 
creed, and cognizance: and at the top of the eastern window of 
1 See p, 261. Note. 
