From the Middle Ages to the Present
Set in the hills of England’s picturesque Yorkshire Dales in lower Wensleydale, the history of the sheep fair in the historic market town of Masham goes way back to the Middle Ages.
Wool As England’s Chief Commodity
Sheep fairs are natural in England since wool was the foundation of the wealth of the nation beginning with Norman Conquest in 1066. By the end of the twelfth century, England’s most important industry was the production of wool.
Although of course the nation’s industries and focuses have greatly changed since then, sheep farming still maintains an active presence with 34 million sheep in the UK.
Sheep On Show
At the Masham Sheep Fair this past weekend, there were many people in the village square that was chockablock with wooden pens full of different sheep breeds, many of the breeds bearing the names of regions throughout England.
Different Breeds for Different Folk
There were Swalesdale, Dalesbred, Blue-Faced Leicester, Herdwick, Teeswater, Wensleydale, Jacob, Texel, Suffolk, Oxford Down, Hampshire Down, North Country Cheviots, Beltex, Bleu Du Maine, Charollais, Dorset Horn, Poll Dorset, Ryeland, Shetland, and Manx Loaghton.
The range of facial, head, and fleece characteristics and color was fascinating and wonderful to observe.
Ribbons and Such
Contests were held, ribbons awarded, and farmers and their families were there to exhibit and sell their wide array of sheep. In all, forty-five trophies were awarded over the two days of the fair.
At one contest, the winner was this glorious Cheviot pictured here during the judging:
A Well-Behaved Champion
A large circle of people stood and admired this sheep. We were particularly amazed at how still she stood for a considerable time. Held by the farmer but not on a leash as some other sheep were, she occasionally baahed but otherwise she was completely motionless.
I spoke with the farmer after the competition and found out this sheep is 18 months old and she hasn’t got a name yet but she will be ‘christened’ shortly, as he put it.
A Life for Lambing
This prize sheep is not fated for slaughter as so many of her kind normally are. Rather, her owner hopes she will live out her life having as many lambs as possible. He also proudly pointed out what he called her feminine curves, and how fine her two-inch thick fleece is.
And so she will be going to ‘ramming’ in a few weeks when she will be mated with a suitable ram.
More Beauties From the Fair
You can read more about the Herdwick breed and the part that Beatrix Potter played in ensuring their survival, in this article of ours about Beatrix Potter and Herdwick Sheep.
References
The Cistercian Monks and Sheep Farming by Professor Esmond Wright
Masham Sheep Fair Programme of Events
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