Tower mill

Although these types of mills were effective, some argue that, owing to their complexity, they would have initially been built mainly by the most wealthy individuals.

[9] Other sources pin its earliest inception back in 1180 in the form of an illustration on a Norman deed, showing this new western-style windmill.

One of the earliest tower mills in Britain was Chesterton Windmill, Warwickshire, which has a hollowed conical base with arches.

Towards the end of the 15th century, tower mills began appearing across Europe in greater numbers.

The origins of the tower mill can be found in a growing economy of Europe, which needed a more reliable and efficient form of power, especially one that could be used away from a river bank.

[11] The tower mill also was seen as a cultural object, being painted and designed with aesthetic appeal in mind.

[13][14] A movable head which could pivot to react to the changing wind patterns was the most important aspect of the tower mill.

To increase windmill efficiency millwrights experimented with different methods: Therefore, engineer John Smeaton invented the cast-iron Lincolnshire cross to make sail-crosses with five, six, and even eight blades possible.

Dutch: De Noord, meaning 'the North', is a corn mill dating to 1803 that is 33.3 metres (109 ft) to the cap.

Sometimes these mills were even built on the sides of castles and towers in fortified towns to make them resistant to attacks.