Although windmills had already been in use in the Middle East for centuries, they were not introduced into Europe until sometime in the 13^th century. There is some debate as to whether or not this technology, like so many other late medieval innovations, was brought back from the Middle East as a result of the crusades. Windmills, like watermills were a vital part of everyday life, being used to pump water, to saw wood, and to grind grain. Especially this last use was incredibly important as it allowed those who did not live near a river to grind their grain far more efficiently, by saving them from grinding by hand, or having to transport the grain to a distant mill. While this innovation occurred before the Renaissance proper, and outside of Italy, it bore with it many similarities to renaissance innovations, such as a desire to utilize the knowledge of non-Christian cultures, as well as to create things of practical worldly use. Leonardo’s work with water power thus, was happening in an era full of innovations in the field of making nature work for mankind. 

Pelikan, Bob. "Windmills." National Driller 31, no. 2 (2010) 12, 14, 16.

Image created by Lourdes Cardenal , retrieved from Wikimedia Commons, Fair use