Sheep Craven

the mediaeval monasteries converted unused wilderness sheep farms

fountains abbey affected craven in upper wharfedale, airedale , littondale. in 1200 abbey owned 15,000 sheep in various locations , traded directly italian merchants. on limestone fells held extensive sheep runs managed granges located @ valley heads access both moors , rough pasture of valley sides. many granges developed hamlets. fountains’ sheep administrative centre @ outgang hill, kilnsey. 1320 bolton priory’s flock @ malham 2,750 , built extensive sheep farm buildings there. accounts show quarter of cheese sheep’s cheese, , of priory’s came wool sales. developed fulling, sorting , grading industries. feudal lords began imitate monastic management methods own estates , in 1350 when black death killed-off half rent-paying farmers had bailiffs substitute sheep-pasture tillage. export of wool flanders looms, , concurrent growth of cloth manufacture in england, aided edward iii s importation of flemish weavers teach people higher skill of craft, made demand wool english flocks supply. profitability of wool further increased landowners converted arable land sheep pasture evicting whole villages. on 370 deserted medieval villages have been unearthed in yorkshire. henry viii in 1539 suppressed monasteries , sold littondale , bolton priory s estates in lower wharefedale , airedale henry clifford, 1st earl of cumberland , lord of skipton. 1600 wool trade primary source of tax revenue queen elizabeth i. britain’s success made major influence in development , spread of sheep husbandry worldwide.

in more modern times industrial revolution brought factory production of wool cloth towns further down airedale , many craven families, made redundant agricultural machinery, moved south work in worsted mills.

however, in 1966 price of wool fell 40% due increased popularity of synthetic fibres. farmers complain costs more shear sheep can wool , result reduced flocks. although tough wool of hill sheep still used carpet weaving, sheep breeding lambs sell on fattening meat in low pastures.