Background
Monolith millstones were the principle product of La
Ferté-sous-Jouarre, France until the early 1800’s.
Around 18351
there was a pronounced change in production to
millstones
constructed from a number of stone blocks (French
burr stones) rather than them being of one piece.
Whilst
researching material on millstones for my soon to be
released book “Watermills & Stoneground Flour
Milling”, I came across a booklet by Owen Ward,2
in which it stated that La Ferté monoliths are rare
outside of France. However, there was mention of one
being on show in Heckington Windmill, Lincolnshire.
I emailed Heckington Windmill Trust to inquire if
the stone was still on view. My intention being to
visit the mill at some time in the future to view
this rarity.
In
response, Jim Bailey kindly confirmed that it was
still there and very helpfully sent me some
pictures. Jim has agreed to share these with ‘HMG
Newsletter’ readers. The stone is exactly 4ft
(1220mm) in diameter and averages 10.5in (267mm) in
thickness +/- 0.25in (6.35mm). It is banded and has
a rhynd in the eye.
Owen
suggested that the Heckington example probably came
from the nearby long-converted watermill of
Ashby-by-Partney.
Do
readers known of another whole or part monolithic
example in the UK? Please do email me at
(nigel.harris1@virgin.net) if you have any
information.
Ref
1.
Ward, O.H.
1982
Millstones from La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, France.
Industrial Archaeological Review. Vol 6, No. 3,
p206
Ref
2.
Ward, O. 1993 French Millstones, Notes on the
Millstone Industry at La Ferté-sous-Jouarre. The
International Molinological Society. ISBN
9291340189, p27
