Does anyone know the origin of so called 'witches rests' which are on the side of chimneys on old cottages?

Answer 1

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Witches' stones
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Witches' stones (in Jèrriais: pièrres dé chorchièrs) are flat stones jutting from chimneys in Jersey.

According to Jersey folklore, these small ledges were used by witches to rest on as they fly to their sabbats. Householders would provide these platforms to appease witches and avoid their ill favour.

Traditional vernacular architecture in Jersey is in granite and such witches' stones can be seen protruding from many older houses. The real origin of this architectural feature is to protect thatched roofs from seeping water running down the sides of the chimney stack. Thatched roofs being thicker than tiled roofs, the jutting stones would sit snugly on the thatch - as can be seen on the few remaining thatched roofs in Jersey. When thatch began to be generally replaced by pantiles in the 18th century, and later by slates, the witches' stones were left protruding prominently from the chimney stack. This either gave rise to the belief in witches' resting places, or reinforced an existing belief (fear of witches was widespread in country areas well into the 20th century in Jersey).

The force of tradition can be seen in a number of newly-constructed houses in vernacular style that sport witches' stones despite never having had a thatched roof.


The stones protect the joins of thatched roofs

When thatch is replaced by tile, the stones no longer serve the original purpose


This modern house incorporates witches' stones in its chimneys

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See also
Architecture of Normandy
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Reference
Des pièrres dé chorchièrs
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witches%27_stones"
Categories: Jersey culture | Witchcraft | Architectural elements

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Answer 2

Assuming you mean `inside` the fireplace opening,most certainly NOT hand rests for child chimney sweeps, this practise came along with the advent of coal fires. Cottagers would have found coal expensive, wood is cheap and widely available in rural areas. Rarely can we imagine that cottages ( 2 bedrooms and 1 small fireplace) were built for the poorer folk, (often agricultural or industrial workers), with facilities to allow chimney sweeping??? If a chimney needed sweeping ( other than the richer, or higher class houses) they did it themselves. Cottagers did not have money to burn! There are often brick built steps or platforms at the base of old chimneys, these were used during cooking over an open fire , the fire was the kitchen and centre of the home. Such platforms were used to hold/stand/ warm/ food and pots or pans.Some chimneys had brackets to hold a hanging pot over the flames, or a spit for meat. Also commonly found inside chimneys , are ham hooks, metal hooks or brackets where bacon sides were cured and dried. Larger fireplaces came with larger homes, and often seating was built inside the fireplace for people to sit, smoking, and keeping warm. They are referred to as inglenooks, and are the preserve of the well -to-do, - not cottagers.

Answer 3

i in my view like the way you began and finished. i will might desire to re-study this later. there grew to become right into a mistake with 'She knew nicely that in the time of reality it grew to become into 4 moths greater.', months. L4 - the place two times, interior the line till now (L3), there is continuity of a sentence which flows directly to L4 from L3 and you technically and aesthetically shouldn't use 'the place' two times interior a similar sentence. 'is the place' may be anaphora yet its extremely puzzling.

Answer 4

IF I remember correctly they are hand and foot holds left from the days when chimneys were swept by small boys climbing up

Answer 5

Maid Angela got you the correct answer: they are left over from chimney sweepers times.

Answer 6

I agree with the first answer.

Answer 7

its were they kept their broomsticks