i34 SERVILE BURDENS
The outer wheel consisted of a central oaken beam, into which was
secured a double set of spokes or "arms", joined by "curves"
strengthened by iron bands and stays to form a large double wheel!
Between the outer rims, a series of trough-like "ladeles" were
arranged to catch the current of the water. The axle extended into the
mill, and on its other extremity was built an inner single wheel, also
made of wood and banded. The inner wheel was cogged, the " cogges "
secured by "keys", setting in motion a third small cogged wheel.This
in turn, was fitted on to an elevated and vertical spindle, itself re-
volving and with its lower extremity resting on a cup of brass. The
opposite and squared end of the spindle passed into the upper storey
of the mill, through the middle of a stationary millstone lying in its
bed on the upper floor. Upon the squared end of the spindle an iron
"trendel" or driver was fixed which clutched the iron stay or "rind"
firmly secured across the perforated centre of the upper and moving
millstone. This movable stone, thus balanced upon the spindle,
could be adjusted by lowering or raising the spindle from below, and
it could be made to revolve at a minute distance from the nether and
fixed stone. The corn was then passed from the container, held on a
framework, through the hole in the centre of the upper stone. The
flow was regulated by a small mechanical contrivance, the " hopper",
vibrated by means of a " jack " worked from below by the " rind " and
spindle. The revolution of the stone forced out the meal, which was
directed by the close-fitting framework to the spout where it was
ejected into the holder. The full weight of the upper stone upon the
spindle and the continual friction naturally proved a severe test for
the soft iron of which the latter was made, and for the brass pivot at its
base. Hence the very frequent references in medieval accounts to
expenses incurred in "lengthening" and repairing the "neck" of the
spindle and recasting the brass, both very expensive items. The
purchase and haulage of the millstones were also costly and, probably
on account of their poor quality, they required to be renewed
periodically.1
The upkeep of the structure of the mill and its accessories was
an. expensive business, and in general was a charge on the lord.
In making over a mill to the canons of St Agatha in 1190, Sir
Gerald de Mansfield grants them also the right of taking stones
for its repair wherever they may be found on his land,2 and a
little later another deed ensures the monks of Haughmond a little
copse for wood, and resources for the repair of the mill-pool3
1 W. Rees, South Wales and the March, p. 137.
2 Corn Milling, in, 51.
8 Eyton, Antiq. of Shrops. vi, 54; and see x, 102; Glas. Rentalia, 87 (mill
rented at 16$. but lord does the repairs); Ramsey Cart, in, 217.