The Thatchers Dictionary
BEDA prepared heap of long straw, sedge or rye, from which a yealm is drawn.
BOTTLE
A yealm of straw tied at the small end, used for setting eaves and gables.
BROW COURSEThe first course of reed; after the eave is set in. Determines the pitch of the roof.
BUNCH/BUNDLEA unit of water reed approximately 24" (600mm) or continental at 39" (1m) in circumference at the tie.
BUTTThe lower end of a bundle of straw or reed.
BUTTINGDressing the butt ends by dropping onto a hard, clean surface.
CASINGTo rethatch, with any material, over the existing thatch after it has been stripped to a reasonable level and refastened to the rafters.
COMBED WHEAT STRAWWheat straw which has been passed through a reed comber.
COURSEA horizontal layer of reed or straw thatch.
CROOKS/HOOKS/SPIKES/"L" PINSMade from quarter inch or three eighths iron rod varies from 8" to 12" in length. Pointed at one end, with a forged right angle hook on the other to hold the sway. Driven into the rafters to hold the sway.
CROSS RODS/PATTERN PIECES
Hazel rods split and used for ornamentation between liggers.
FACE
The surface of the roof.
FLEEKING
A woven mat of water reed used as an alternative to battens in exposed rafter situations; rarely used now.
FLASHING
Cement or lead sheeting fixed over the thatch and onto brickwork at the chimney or wall abutments.
GABLE FLUE/VERGE BARGEThe finished edge of the thatch hanging over the gable end.
GABLE TOPA yealm of ridging material without pronounced taper at either end forming the topmost part of the ridge.
GADDLength of hazel nut wood before splitting.
LIGGERSRods of split hazel (4' to 5') used on the outside surface of ridges, and in the case of long straw, on eaves and gables.
LONG STRAWThreshed wheat straw prepared by hand.
NIBPortion of the roof beside window or chimney.
PINNACLEA raised end of a ridge, gable, or top point of a hip.
RIDGECapping on topmost part of roof, various finishes.
ROLL DOLLYSausage like roll(s) of reed or straw. 4" to 8" in diameter and of any suitable length, used to build up the ridge to a sharp apex prior to capping.
RYE STRAWThreshed and used for ridging.
SADDLEThe junction of a ridge with a main coat.
SEDGEUsed for capping a water reed roof.
SKIRTThe side courses of a ridge thickened at the butt when used as a cut pattern roof.
SPARS/SPITS/BROACHES/GOOSENECKS/TWISTERS/PRICKERSSplit hazel rods 30" pointed at each end, and twisted in the center into a 'staple' shape and used to fix 1/2 coat work or the liggers on the ridge.
SWAYS/LEDGERS/BINDERSHazel rods or 1/4" steel rod used to secure thatch to the rafters in the roof. The sways are fixed by stitching with tarred cord or by hooks driven into the rafters at intervals dictated by the length of the materials to be fixed. These are coverd by each succeeding course.
SWEEPThe forming of a valley.
TARRED CORDStrong cord treated with Stockholm tar. Synthetics are also used but tying is rare as a permanent fixture. When used the sway is tied to the rafter or batten or no sway is used.
TILTING FILLETT ARRISTimber used at the eave and gable to start the roof off at the right angle to ensure correct tension on the roof and maximum rain runoff.
WADDSmall bundle of material to continue the action of the tilting.
YEALMA prepared drawn layer of long straw or sedge. 14" to 18" wide. 4" thick. 1/2 Coat.
copyright 19 March 1999 by John Meyer ..
Little Hallingbury Links.
Little Hallingbury Village Hall
GEORGE HENRY TATHAM PATON - VC. MC
Little Hallingbury War Memorial