Cotswold sheep

Looking at the length of the grass I can only assume that it is a fully paid up member of the union.

The Wool Trade

'In Europe the best wool is English and in England the best wool is Cotswold'

(12th century saying).

 

In the Middle Ages the Cotswolds was well known throughout Europe as the source of some of the best wool. The Cotswolds were ideal for sheep so the Abbeys and monasteries raised huge flocks of the 'Cotswold The Cotswolds Lion SheepLions'. These native sheep were large animals with golden long fleeces. Merchants became rich and spent much money on the wool churches as well as building fine houses for themselves such as Grevel's House in Chipping Campden. At that time 50% of England's economy was due to wool.

 

The world-famous row of cottages at Arlington Row, Bibury was originally constructed 600 years ago as a factory for processing wool. In the 18th century cloth manufacture became centred on the Stroud valleys where there was plenty of waterpower, and at its height there were about 150 mills. Many still exist today, although, used for other purposes.

 

William Camden in 1610 wrote as part of his great work Britannia, a topographical and historical survey of all of Great Britain ........

 

 

 

In these Woulds there feed in great numbers, flockes of sheepe long necked and square of bulke and bone, by reason (as it is commonly thought) of the weally and hilly situation of their pasturage; whose

wool being so fine and soft is had in passing great account among all nations.

 

Buried in Wool

From early times England was noted for her woolen products and home grown wool was a major part of the national wealth.

 

During the 14th and 15th centuries the protection of this national product was of great importance, and an act was passed in the reign of King Charles II for the express purpose of increasing the consumption of English wool.

 

Subsequent to the BURIAL IN WOOL ACTS 1667 and 1678 all bodies were to be buried in wool only, unless they have died from the Plague and an affidavit sworn accordingly. The penalty for not doing so was £5. These were repealed in 1814.

 

It was decreed that:

 

"No corps should be buried in anything other than what is made of sheep's wool only; or put into any coffin lined or faced with any material but sheep's wool, on pain of forfeiture of £5."

 

In addition, an affidavit to that effect was required not later than 8 days after the burial.

 

The following transcripts (although not unique) were found in the Rothbury Parish Register.

 

"Elizab. Litster, Late of Low Trewitt, deceased, ye 2nd daughter of Edward Litser was buried in nothing but wooling accordyng to ye Act on ye behalf, as does appear by ye affidavit made by Edward Litster and John Vint to Mr. Thom. Collingwood, one of his Majs. Justice of ye Peace, and his certificate under his hand bearing date ye 2nd of 7br., 1678."

 

"Mary Storrey, of ye Craghead, was wrapt or wound up in nothing but woollen accdng to Stat. on ye behalfe, as appears by Affidavit made by Robt. Storry, ibid, to r. Thom. Hursley, in his certificate under his hand, bearing date ye 5th day 5br., 1678"

 

INTERESTING FACT

 

The old saying - "You can't pull the wool over my eyes" came from being buried in a shroud of wool, and meant that "I am not dead!"

Done