The word maid was only just beginning to be used instead of servant; it generally meant an unmarried woman.
“What is thy calling?”
“I am servant to Master Nicholas Clere, clothier, of Balcon Lane.”
“Art Colchester-born?”
“I was born at Stoke Nayland, in Suffolk.”
“And wherefore dost thou not come to mass?”
“Because I hold the Sacrament of the altar to be but bread and wine, which may not be worshipped under peril of idolatry.”
“Well, and why comest not to confession?”
“Because no priest hath power to remit sins.”
“Hang ’em! they are all in a story!” said the chief Commissioner, wrathfully. “But she’s a well-favoured maid, this: it were verily pity to burn her, if we could win her to recant.”