I would guess it is using the archaic meaning of Brave “Fine or splendid in appearance” (from the OED)
So they are saying that the house as a whole was a bit of a dump, but the parlour was still in good order and looked much better than the rest of the house.
Rod Millard
Historic Environment Record Officer
Planning and Transport Development
Bath and North East Somerset Council
PO Box 5006
Bath BA1 1JG
Tel: 01225 477653
Fax: 01225 477663
Email:
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Web:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/tourism-and-heritage/archaeology
Office Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work and visit.
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ben Croxford
Sent: 19 June 2014 15:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Early Friday question - Brave Parlour
An early Friday question:
A 1720 description of a rectory – apparently “it had a brave parlour” (http://www.hslc.org.uk/show_pdf.php?item=1891-1892_51.pdf
second line).
What is a brave parlour?
All the best,
Ben
Dr Ben Croxford
Historic Environment Record Officer
Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service
1st Floor Merton House
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 3DL
Tel: 0151 934 4958
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