Note 202 — CHEAPE WARD
Reading edition
Soler is described by Tyrwhitt, in his edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, as originally signifying an open gallery or balcony at the top of the house, though latterly used for any upper room, loft, or garret. Tyrwhitt refers in his Glossary, to the Cook’s Tale of Gamelyn, for an authority for the use of the word in the latter sense—
“He fleigh up until alofte, And shet the dore fast. And saugh where he looked out At a solere window.”
The German Söller is used by Luther in his magnificent translation of the Bible in both senses:—“Peter went up upon the house-top to pray”—“Stieg Petrus hinauf auf den Söller zu beten.” Acts x. 9. “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room”—“Und als sie hinein kamen, stiegen sie auf den Söller.” Acts i. 13.