Arch. Obs. Forms: 4 iowpe, 5 iowpye, iopee, iope, ioppe, ioppy, 5–6 iopy. [A word recorded from Cambridge and East Anglia; app. orig. jow-pece, f. jow earlier form of JAW sb.1: cf. the later jaw-piece s.v. JAW sb.1 7, and JOWL-PIECE.] A cornice extending between the principals of a Gothic roof, and usually supporting the feet of the secondary principals.

1

1374.  in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 238. Wyndbems, suchlates Asthelers Corbels jowpes balkes summers. Ibid. (1413–4), II. 441. Item pro cariagio vnius trabis cum j jopy vs. Ibid. (1432–3), 446. Pro vj joppyes precii joppe xijd.

2

1438.  in J. Gage, Suffolk (1838), 140. Having atwix iche two princeapals a purloyne a iope and iiij sparrys.

3

1448–9.  in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), II. 10. The walplates of the seid hall shalbe … vij inches of Thiknes with jopees from bem to bem. Ibid. (1452), I. 282. Also Jowpyes xvjuo inche in brede with a Batylment by nethe with a Crest above…. Item atte euery end of the sengulers atte the Jowpye shalbe an Angell. Ibid. (1466), III. 93. Alle the gistes … shal rest vpon the crosse dormauntes and on the said ioppijs.

4

1504.  in J. Gage, Suffolk, 150. Item, paid to Lyng for coloryng my closet, and the jopys in the hall 6s. 8d.

5