102 DALE CHURCH : ITS STRUCTURAL PECULL\RITIES. 



gable, however, has an interestuig feature of its own. On 

 the inner surface, about midway up the valley of the roof, 

 are the ends of two protruding tenons ; these piay relate to 

 a projecting bell-cote, as indicated in the restoration It is 

 a pity that the existing timbers are covered externally with 

 modern stucco.* 



The great transverse roof is the most interesting feature 

 of the second story, but it is by no means a pleasant task to 

 struggle through the small trapdoor under the bell turret 

 and grope amongst the cobwebs and dust, to examine it. 

 It is divided into two bays by a tie-beam (q) with accessories, 

 one end of which is supported by the great post, K. Its 

 construction is simple and effective. There are neither 

 principals nor ridge-piece, but the latter want is met by 

 the collars (u), which bind the pairs of opposite rafters to- 

 gether, being pinned to a longitudinal rib (p). This rib 

 runs from gable to gable, and is supported half-way by the 

 king-post (w) of the tie-beam (q). Lateral instability is 

 prevented by the struts (s, s) which are, with the king-post, 

 re-produced in each gable, and this rib being braced to these 

 posts, the danger of longitudinal unsteadiness is met. The 

 braces (z, z) of the tie-beam, which are so shaped as to 

 form, with this beam, an obtusely-pointed arch, carry the 

 thrust of the struts (s, s) above. All the timbers are of oak, 

 and in good state of preservation. The eastern portion of 

 the aisle is covered with an extension (o) of the eastern 

 slope of this transverse roof. 



The chancel roof is of much simpler construction, but as it is 

 ceiled, it is impossible to make out its details. Again, there are 

 no principals. The rafters are prolonged beyond the outer edge 

 of the walls to form over-hanging eaves ; while from a moulded 

 oak wall-plate on the inner edge of the north wall (that on the 

 south has been replaced, and the space above filled in with 



* In Glover's History of Derbyshire {1829) there is a small block showing 

 the timbers of the north gable exposed. 



