In this huge building on the eastern edge of the property, next to the stream, the monks established a forge or foundry. This photo looks from one end of the long, rectangular building, to the other.
This part of the abbey is an historical landmark in its own right.
Here is the huge chimney and fire, and the huge bellows. The wooden posts hold up a second floor in this section only. I'm not sure what it was for. This is the white part on the perspex model coming up.
To give you an overall idea of the building - here is a perspex model. A very large rectangular building with a two story section (white) in only one area: - above the chimney with the fire and bellows.
And to the side closest to the camera, which is the side of the building next to the stream, there is a covered water course/ canal/ channel with a mill wheel (green) at the far end.
Going back to the blacksmith's area.
And to the side closest to the camera, which is the side of the building next to the stream, there is a covered water course/ canal/ channel with a mill wheel (green) at the far end.
Going back to the blacksmith's area.
This is all happening in 1220.
The monks are digging up a type of iron ore from the site, smelting it ...
... and making a variety of tools that are in great demand and sold throughout the country.
And here is the hammer-mill or hydraulic hammer. It's function is to hammer metal.
The hammer-mill is operated (raised and then dropped) by this huge wooden axle with a castelated cog.
The axle is turned by the water-wheel outside. Obviously the hammer-mill and the axle are not connected for safety reasons because the exhibit is unsupervised. However the axle is being continuously turned (absolutely silently) by ...
the water-wheel.
And it is surprising how such a small flow of water can turn such a large wheel and raise such a heavy hammer. The paddles on the water-wheel are not very big and the stream of water coming down the hill at the rear (amongst the green ferns) is not very great.
And yet this was a very successful engineering model.
I have found a YouTube video showing the forge in operation.
And it is surprising how such a small flow of water can turn such a large wheel and raise such a heavy hammer. The paddles on the water-wheel are not very big and the stream of water coming down the hill at the rear (amongst the green ferns) is not very great.
And yet this was a very successful engineering model.
Walking back through the garden ...
... past this cascade of water which is behind the foundry and which is fed by the water passing the water-wheel.
Under another plane tree. This time a spanish version ... and a lovely tree it is!
Past the last of the buildings, now used for private functions.
These buildings all had religious significance within the Abbaye, but once the property transferred into private hands, some of the buildings had to serve as domestic residences.
Can you see the tail-light of a car peeping out from behind the hedge? I think this is the manager's house.
And finally, out through the abbey's bakery and pilgrim's dormitory ... better known these days as "the gift shop".
Our final stop is Riems, in the northern area of the Champagne region, and 130 km north east of Paris. We have almost finished our fantastic five month tour of France, Spain and Italy. A couple more emails in the next day or so and then I'll sign off.
Our final stop is Riems, in the northern area of the Champagne region, and 130 km north east of Paris. We have almost finished our fantastic five month tour of France, Spain and Italy. A couple more emails in the next day or so and then I'll sign off.
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