186 THE SHEEP. 



XXI. THE COTSWOLD BREED. 



The Cotswold Breed of Sheep derives its name from a 

 tract of low calcareous hills in the eastern division of the 

 county of Gloucester, forming a part of the great Oolite for- 

 mation of England, which, commencing with the moorlands 

 of Yorkshire, stretches diagonally across the island, and loses 

 itself in the British Channel, near the Isle of Portland. The 

 Gloucester portion of this tract is of moderate elevation, com- 

 paratively infertile, yet capable of cultivation, and yielding 

 in the natural state a short sweet herbage. It was formerly 

 a range of bleak wastes, employed in the pasturage of Sheep, 

 and much of it was in the state of common ; but with the 

 progress of the last century, the commons were appropriated, 

 and cultivation was extended. It derives its name from Cote, 

 a sheep-fold, and Would, a naked hill. It was early noted 

 for the numbers of sheep which it maintained, and the fine- 

 ness and abundance of their wool. " In these woulds," says 

 the translator of Camden, " they feed in great numbers flockes 

 of sheep, long-necked and square of bulk and bone, by reason 

 (as is commonly thought) of the weally and hilly situation of 

 their pasturage, whose wool, being most fine and soft, is held 

 in passing great account amongst all nations." Other writers 

 refer to the excellence and abundance of the wool of the Cots- 

 wold Wolds. Drayton contrasts the rich fleeces of Cotswold 

 with those of the flocks of Sarum and Leominster, and gives the 

 palm to Cotswold for its more abundant produce.* The faith- 

 ful and laborious Stowe, in his Chronicles, states, that, in the 

 year 1464, King Edward IV. " concluded an amnesty and 

 league with King Henry of Castill, and John, King of Ara- 

 gon, at the concluding whereof, hee granted licence for cer- 



* " T' whom Sarum's plaine gives place, though famous for its flocks ; 

 Yet hardly doth she tythe our Cotswolde's wealthy locks : 

 Though Lemster him exceed in finenesse of her ore, 

 Yet quite he puts her downe for his abundant store." 



POLY-OLEION. 



