Solar, Soller

Solar, Soller (Lat. solarium), a loft, garret, or upper chamber. In a mediaeval house it was usually situated behind the dais, separated from it by the end of the hall, and had a cellar under it; these two stories together were not so high as the hall, leaving the gable of the lofty roof with the window in it free above them. This was the lord's chamber, and there generally was a small opening from the solar into the hall, from which the lord could overlook the proceeding, and hear all that passed. The term solar is also used for the rood loft (q.v.) of a church. In Norfolk, Forby observes that the belfry loft is termed the soller, or the bellsoller.