Flagstone
Flagstone is a type of flat stone,
usually used for paving slabs, but also for making fences or roofing. It
may also be used for making memorials or headstones in a cemetery.
Flagstone is a sandstone which makes the rock essentially quartz. The
material that binds flagstone is usually composed of silica, calcium, or
iron oxide. The color of the rock usually comes from the cementing
material. Typical colors of flagstone are red, blue, buff, and there are
exotic colors like chocolate. It is often used for patios, walkways,
steps, fences, housing, fireplaces, and many construction projects. For
our purposes we will refer to all random paving stones as flagstones and
will be inclusive of sandstone, slate and quartzite products.
Flagstones in the Middle Ages
Interior rooms of castles and other structures often used flagstones as
flooring materials. Numerous examples of buildings in Europe may be
found that have surviving rooms of this form. For example, Lindisfarne
Castle in England and Muchalls Castle (14th century) in Scotland have
such flooring components.