Definition of "esshole"

They 'ad twelve sons, and there was one son called Ashypelt. He was the youngest son, and they didn't never think but very little o' Ashypelt, as 'ee was allus used to be i' the esshole under the fire, an' the brothers used to spit on 'im and laugh at 'im an' make fun of 'im an' that.

1899, Francis Hindes Groome, “Ashypelt”, in Gypsy Folk-Tales‎, London: Hurst and Blackett, page 235