[MR] Maud Heath, 15th Century Philanthropist

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On Friday the BBC posted a story about Maud Heath, a mid-to-late 15th
century Wiltshire woman who is remembered as a local philanthropist, if an
unlikely one.

Maud Heath lived at Bremhill in Wiltshire and made a living selling eggs
and butter on market days in Chippenham. She apparently also owned a small
number of cottages and lots in the area, possibly inhereted from her
deceased husband. The distance between Bremhill and Chippenham was about 4
1/2 miles, and crossed a floodplain, which during high water prevented
marketers and buyers from reaching Chippenham. Upon her death in 1474, Maud
placed several properties she owned in trust with the revenue to be used to
maintain the path to Chippenham.

Maud Heath is credited with a causeway across the floodplain, though just
maintaining the footpaths seems more likely. If there was an early
causeway, it probably was made of wood though there is no such structure
noted in the BBC story or on Wikipedia. However, a brick arch causeway was
built using profits from the trust around 1811, which after restoration in
the 20th century remains in use. It is referred to as  "Maud Heath's
Causeway", and is a Grade II* listed structure.

Maud's trust continues to function to this day, and has made other local
improvements.

Maud is also remembered with an 1838 monument at the Bremhill end of the
path, a tall plinth with a statue representing her seated at the
top dressed in late 15th century peasant clothes.

The BBC story is found here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg669k6549do
 .

A bit more about the causeway is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_Heath%27s_Causeway .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep Merry Rose relevant and in business.