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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: venelow on Monday 08 April 24 17:32 BST (UK)

Title: What is an Orriell?
Post by: venelow on Monday 08 April 24 17:32 BST (UK)
Good Day Roots Chatters

Has anyone come across the word Orriell? I am transcribing a PCC Will from the late 1500s.

One line reads:

  "Item I give him more all the Wares in the Cheste in the Orriell which is Lace and such like stuff."

I can only find Orriell as a surname or possibly a place name. The second and third letters are definitely two "Rs" as written in the words more and Wares.

It sounds like it is a room in the house or maybe an out-building.

Any thoughts? 

Venelow.
Canada
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: MollyC on Monday 08 April 24 17:36 BST (UK)
Modern spelling is oriel, some kind of a window, projecting from an upper storey.  Perhaps storing goods in the window recess.
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: Jebber on Monday 08 April 24 17:38 BST (UK)
I have never come  across such a spelling. All I know of is an Oriel which is a type of window that protrudes from the wall, common in historic buildings.
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: Jebber on Monday 08 April 24 17:38 BST (UK)
Molly C just beat me to it.
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: Vance Mead on Monday 08 April 24 17:45 BST (UK)
In the Middle English Dictionary: a bay window, a balcony, a room containing an Oriell.

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED30890/track?counter=2&search_id=63306234

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: Viktoria on Monday 08 April 24 23:00 BST (UK)
Yes oriel also means a room with an oriel window, as Vance has said.
He beat me to it.
Viktoria.
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: Gadget on Tuesday 09 April 24 07:59 BST (UK)
....and an Oxford college

https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/our-history/


Gadget
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 09 April 24 14:41 BST (UK)
Yes, Oriel college, or the window shape / structure. Clear enough.
TY
Title: Re: What is an Orriell?
Post by: venelow on Tuesday 09 April 24 15:18 BST (UK)
Good Morning

Thank you for your responses. It makes perfect sense that the chest was situated in the bay window space of the oriel. I had heard of oriel before but I associated it with public buildings like churches or colleges. The testator, John Bowdler of Shrewsbury, must have had a pretty fancy house. I think he may have been a draper hence the lace and stuff in the chest which he refers to as wares.

Thanks again
Venelow
Canada