Water power and the plan of St Gall
Walter Horn
Abstract An analysis of the scale used by designer Plan St Gall allows for no other conclusion than that mill and mortars shown on this were water driven. Because paradigmatic nature means hydraulically operated mills makers considered to be standard equipment a Carolingian monastery — supported wealth documentary source material available period. The Romans knew mill, but made little use it. Its general adoption diffusion in Merovingian Europe is study attributed rise spread Benedictine monasticism. It received its primary impetus from need provide milled crushed grain bulk communities considerable size, including leisure class men who had freed normal chores toiling life so their energies could directed task: Work God ( Opus Dei ). Water-powered trip hammers China before birth Christ. Their portrayal suggests they introduced western Europe, not Marco Polo, as some propose, age folk migrations or early Period.
Journal of Medieval History