Editing Millstone (section)

=== Other milling systems ===

==== Assembled millstones ====
[[File:Boll_Muehlsteine_3811.jpg|thumb|Pair of grinding wheels made of assembled tiles]]
In a study of millstones in Flanders from the Middle Ages to the [[French Revolution]], Jean Bruggeman<ref><sup>(fr)</sup> [http://asso.nordnet.fr/aramnord/jean_bruggeman_qui_est_il.htm Jean Bruggeman, l'Historien des Moulins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217061039/http://asso.nordnet.fr/aramnord/jean_bruggeman_qui_est_il.htm |date=17 February 2008 }}</ref> points out that medieval millstones were always monolithic, that black basalt stones were still monolithic in later centuries, and that white stones remained so until the 18th century. However, "''gisantes''" were sometimes made up of several irregularly-shaped pieces. These were bound in [[plaster]], encased in an iron or wooden casing, and sometimes placed on a bed of cemented bricks.

In fact, the invention of millstones made of pieces, i.e. an assembly of several stones or tiles, remains difficult to date precisely.<ref><sup>(fr)</sup> Actes du colloque international de La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, {{p.|297}}</ref>

In the 15th century, the river trade passing through Paris was strictly controlled by the [[Hanseatic League]] of water merchants; "French companies" had to inform the clerks of the names of their partners, the city of destination, and the nature and value of the cargo. Thus, on May 3, 1452, a Rouen merchant named Robert Le Cornu declared that he was bringing to Normandy one or more boats loaded with 35 millstones, 5 blinkers, 100 ''carreaux'' and a tombstone.<ref><sup>(fr)</sup> Actes du colloque international de La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, {{p.|283}}</ref>

Various texts provide clues to the manufacture of millstones in the 17th century. On March 10, 1647, Jacques Vinault "''sold 3 rounds<ref>This term should be understood as a unit of volume</ref> of grinding stone''" to Pierre Bailly. On March 26, 1652, another text evokes the difficulties of a millstone assembly site, with a "''lack of wood to cook the plastre quy is not in sufficient quantity to plastrer and put in the places where it is necessary, joinct aussy that there is stone to suffice to make the millstones''". On July 7, 1680, Sr Delugré "''made a deal with Claude Duvau and Jullien Boullmer, stone molders [...] to supply them with 2 molds of molding stone and plaster to make the millstones [...] made and perfect to make flour''".<ref><sup>(fr)</sup> Actes du colloque international de La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, {{p.|298}}</ref>

According to Dorothée Kleinmann, "economic milling" and its improvements really took off at the end of the 18th century. This led to the development of stone quarrying and millstone production in new regions such as [[Cinq-Mars-la-Pile]] and [[Domme, Dordogne|Domme]], where "''millstones are always formed by joining several pieces together; there are no blocks large enough to make masses from a single piece''".<ref>Ours Pierre Armand Dufrénoy, 1834</ref> In these locations, it seems that at the beginning of the eighteenth century, millstone was not yet quarried, preferring to salvage scattered blocks from woods, fields and vineyards, which sometimes considerably increased their value.
[[File:Carriers2.jpg|left|thumb|Millstone production workshop in [[Épernon]]]]
Once the millstone blocks have been transported to the site and "peeled", the manufacturer selects the stones required for the millstone. The different pieces are classified according to their quality, taking into account hardness, grain, porosity, and color. At this stage, it is also necessary to take into account the milling system used in the country of dispatch, and the type of wheat produced in the region.<ref><sup>(fr)</sup> [http://www.la-ferte-sous-jouarre.org/patrimoine/article.php3?id_article=13 Patrimoine meulier] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112193430/http://www.la-ferte-sous-jouarre.org/patrimoine/article.php3?id_article=13 |date=12 January 2009 }}</ref> Once the choice has been made, production begins with the center or "boitard", which is usually made in one piece. This must be very solid, especially for the current millstone, as it is at this level that the casing on which the millstone is suspended is fixed. Around the boitard, the tiles are arranged and fixed with plaster or cement, and chiseled to fit together sufficiently. A wheel of this type is generally made up of two to six quarters. "''When the job is done and the blocks match, the worker adjusts them by cementing them with [[Portland cement]], sometimes with a paste of [[Marl|Spanish white]] and oil that hardens with age, and clamps the whole with iron hoops''". On the other side of the working surface, the back of the millstone, or "counter-molding", is surrounded by a strip of sheet metal serving as temporary formwork. To give the millstone the necessary weight and thickness, it is reloaded with small stones embedded in fine [[concrete]], into which are inserted cast-iron balancing boxes, which may contain [[lead]] if necessary.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

==== Edge mill ====
{{Main articles|Edge mill}}
Horizontal use of the millstone is generally associated with milling. When the millstone is "upright", i.e. on its edge, it is used for grinding, crushing, or milling operations. In this configuration, the nether millstone is fixed by its eyebolt to a vertical [[Mast (sailing)|mast]] located centrally on the nether millstone which acts as a pivot. Depending on the size of the installation, and to maintain the verticality of the mast, its upper part may be attached to a beam overhanging the mill. The current millstone is rotated either " by means of force", or more often, in a [[riding hall]]. In this way, the mill is driven by a double movement, turning on itself while pivoting around the mast, as in the Roman trapetum. In this type of device, the millstone is monolithic or made up of a paved or even masonry surface. Depending on the product to be processed, the millstone may be slightly concave, with a rim around the periphery to avoid dispersing the crushed material.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" heights="200" widths="250">
File:Olive_press_0723.jpg|Olive mill - [[Nazareth]]. The ''spar'' through the ''eyelet'' is held in place by a [[dowel]] and is used to turn the current millstone.
File:High_Atlas-The_olive_grinding_mill_(js).jpg|Olive mill. [[High Atlas]]
File:Tou_d'preinseu,_Jèrri.jpg|"Apple lathe" driven by a horse. Ring-shaped trough serving as a lying millstone. The Elms, [[Jersey]]
File:Korean.Folk.Village-Minsokchon-10.jpg|Animal-drawn millstone. [[Korea]]
File:Chocolaterie-nestlé-broc_mélangeur_fève_de_cacao-ancien-3.jpg|Old Millstone equipped with [[windrow]] [[Plough|ploughs]], used to grind cocoa beans
File:Agris1.1.JPG|Millstone and [[riding hall]] - Agris (Charente)
File:Crocq08.JPG|Millstone and oil press - [[Crocq]] ([[Creuse]])
File:Almazara_2010.JPG|Olive mill with four conical millstones (Spain)
</gallery>