Precision
Precision is a concept which runs throughout the entirety of this book. There are aspects where this concept is quite obvious, though very important for example when it comes to the technical drawings of mill constructions. There are other parts of this work where precision is not apparent but none the less of importance as for example in the wording concerning the titles and listings of monarchs or the legislature related to the function of mills.
“Theatrum machinarum molarium” is a book on how to build mills and the infrastructure needed for their application, so the gathering of technical drawing despite their position at the end of the book is key for the construction and utilization of water mills. The precision with which those drawings are executed is remarkable and shows the importance of detailed and precise depiction. There are figures that show very specific parts and insights of the machinery with all the bolts and cog wheels whereas other figures display the machinery in its entirety, while still maintaining a similar degree of precision and detail. Some drawings also show the building enclosing the functional parts of the mill with views of the brickwork and structural elements. These figures are accompanied by numerous measurements and geometrical figures which hint to the importance of precision in the construction even of smallest parts of the structures in question to achieve optimal functionality.
A quite different way in which precision occurs in this book concerns the way the author lists and names all the monarchs which are either responsible for the legislature concerning waterways, territories and mills or sponsors of his work. It is fascinating how careful the wording becomes when the author states the Lords names, which is either just the way you were supposed to address people of higher standing in any book or hints to which people were the sponsors of the authors work or even who the targeted audience was.
In the way this book can be seen as a gathering of information on watermills an everything that is connected to them and an instruction on how to construct, operate and legislate them. The latter is another aspect which appears to be an important part in the content of this book. Even more important is precision in this context. Though most of the content in this book seems outdated it still shows the complexity and need for precise wording when it comes to the law.
Precision is a key concept which runs throughout this book which becomes clear when analysing its different aspects and helps to find a better understanding of what the author intended with his work.