How'd They Do That ?

      Frequently it would pass through my mind to ask the question "How would they do that?" You know all the things that were required to keep one's head above water some thousands of years past. Certainly, it would be no easy task for all involved. Now as to sheep and their shearing. How did they do that?

      Starting with today, the following picture shows some folks carrying out this task.

      This photo is taken from another wonderful book titled "The Shell Guide to Wales". It was written by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and Alun Llewellyn in 1969. This picture by Peter Baker is found on page 96. It certainly looks like the sheep are sunbathing. Each sheep appears 4-5 feet in length, and maybe 1.5-2 feet in width. Put five to six sheep in a row, you might get some idea of the size of the figure (from the Middle Ages) shown last post. 

      Going back in time to the Middle Ages, the following picture shows one tool used to shear. This picture is taken from "Life in The Castle In Medieval England" by John Burke, p.43, first published in 1978. This is the earliest example of a shear I could find. What a tool it is. Can you imagine holding this and your sheep at the same time? Wow, how'd they do that? 

        The Shell guide book was so helpful in understanding some aspects of my Welsh ancestors, I have to show it's cover.