Publication:

Moulin de la Herpinière. cavier d’Anjou du XV siècle…prêt à moudre le blé

    Full details

    English titleHerpinière mill: mill of the (Anjou region) 15th century. Ready to grind wheat.
    Authors & editors

    Petitfils, Guy [Author]

    Year of publication 1972
    Languages

    French (main text)

    Medium Book
    Edition1
    Topics

    Wind & watermills > Other Europe (not GB) > France

    Tags

    Scope & contentSummary Translation

    An article in a booklet regarding the history of the mill at Herpinière. The article is mostly a personal account of the importance of mills and discusses their history.

    Discusses “Cavier” mills, which seem to be a compromise of the two previous types of mill in France (“tour” [turn/ tower] and “pivot”), but characteristic of the Anjou region of France. Cavier mills: The tower is small stone (sandstone), it supports a rotating wooden cabin which houses the mechanism- the spinning wheel- a toothed wooden wheel attached to the motor shaft rotated by the wings, that passes through a lantern (gear). This drives the wind to wheels that are in the basement, or cellar, through a vertical shaft that runs through the hollow pivot.

    Gives detail on how these mills were created; they were a mixture or compromise of two preceding types of mills. Briefly discusses the modernisation of these mills. They did not produce much grain because the miller preferred the old system, because the thought the sails were prettier. The author explains the old system; the way the four arms were docked on a fixed axis is different to others. Discusses use of grain and how animals were kept near mills.

    Discusses people from Anjou and their relation with the mills. Discusses other usages for the mills, particularly basements used for wine, includes photos. Mentions previous owners of the site.

    Copies held

    Accession no. 229211

    • Shelf location: C111
    • Donor: Ken Major Collection
    • Advance notice required to view in person