AsAbove | The Quality Directory
Article DetailsA medieval water mill ---- An episode in the refurbishment of a self catering holiday cottage in F |
| Date Added: January 04, 2010 10:40:54 PM |
| Author: Tom Davies |
| Category: Shopping: Travel |
| We have here a chronicle of an ancient mill which now is a holiday cottage hidden in the French countryside. Now I am relating one of a series of items about the history and describing the region of Le Moulin Chez Lord, France 23430. When the mill was built the Limousin area of France was ruled by English troops. The mill was built in around the year 1274 and the regional commander of the garrison lived in a house alongside the bridge over the small river Beraude. Probably because he was a member of the British aristocracy the bridge became recognized as Le Pont de Chez Lord which means literally ---- The Bridge by the House of the Lord. Le Moulin de Chez Lord (which means The Mill by the House of the Lord) was constructed close to the residence of the English milord. It was necessary to mill the flour to prepare bread to feed the military and also to prepare the oats for the horses. It is not generally known that the potato was not known in Europe until the middle of the 15th century. Thus the building of the mill was long before the arrival in Europe of the potato and bread was the main source of carbohydrate. The mill had been working for three hundred years before the potato first arrived from Peru and eventually became a basic part of the European diet. This is the reason for any long term occupying force it was necessary to have a reliable source of flour. To get the era when the watermill was constructed into some time scale we may explain that it was the 13th century, the time of Richard the Lionheart, who became King of England and Aquitaine south of Bordeaux in 1189. So the mill was constructed in the time of the crusades and the notorious sheriff of Nottingham in England. The involvement of King Richard and his involvement locally will be reviewed in another article. In western Europe this was the age of the start to The Little Ice Age. The river in Londres froze over in some winters and the northern Europeans retreated from their outposts in Iceland as the polar ice crept south. The sun was less active and the our planet suffered this Little Ice Age that lasted about five centuries finishing in the mid 1850s. Crops failed regularly throughout this period ... so much for NOW being a period of unique climatic changes. Throughout Europe the temperature was some 2 degrees below the modern average so here at the water mill in winter it was worse and no doubt wetter than at the moment which gives me sympathy for our predecessors. The mill was active until the 1980s when it ground cow feed. The mill cottage has now been changed into a holiday cottage in the central part of France known as the Limousin. Now traveling towards the East you come to the Massive Central which is a mountainous region now famous for winter sports. Turning now towards the west a short trip brings one to Limoges, well known for its porcelain manufacture and traveling further the coastal town of La Rochelle the largest coastal resort in the Bay of Biscay. This fascinating city has become also a holiday resort and an important center for seafood. This region called the Limousin is a new one on the tourist scene as it was until recently a typically French holiday region however the secret is now out. It is a district of pine trees, hills and valleys with many picturesque hamlets resting in the valleys. The region contains thousands of rivers in the many valleys which gives for exceptional views. Most rural activities are readily accessible. Especially important among these are the stimulating hikes of every rank of difficulty thus appealing to talents and degrees of fervor. The ancient watermill is 700 years of age, and was built to prepare wheat flour for English military who were stationed in the area to oversee the English wine interests centered in and around Bordeaux. The water mill is sitting in a valley and includes 20 acres of pasture and woods. The mill is found at the end of a long road which results in tranquility. The river Beraude and the mill race almost surround the watermill and just a few yards from the house is a waterfall which was the overspill for the mill pool. The Beraude flows through the garden and isolates a delightful island with several pine trees that is perfect for sitting on those hot days since there usually is a breeze coming off the river. We also frequently have picnics and barbecues down there on hot summer afternoons. The upstairs of the watermill has now been made into two double bedrooms en suite and the mill into a living area with kitchen, lounge etc. There is a shaded patio by the waterfall which is ideal for al fresco dining or for having a bottle on hot evenings. Since my wife and I are lucky enough to reside in the middle of a most interesting region and in the beautiful countryside, we would like in the future to give you stories in which we will continue to explore the area. |
|
|
