Shropshire Sheep. 
63 
Youatt, alluding to the Morfe Sheep, says it was probably 
this species of Shropshire wool that in 1343 was the choicest 
and dearest in England, and at every succeeding period when 
mention has been made fit justice has been done to its 
excellent quality. He further adds in a foot-note : “ The 
Shropshire short wool must not be quitted without another 
testimony to the degree of estimation in which it was formerly 
held.” 
Joseph Plymley, Archdeacon of Salop, writing on the 
Agriculture of Shropshire in 1803, describes a somewhat similar 
sheep to that found on Morfe Common. Plymley says there is 
a breed of sheep on the Longmynd, a hilly range near Church 
Stretton, with horns and black faces that seem an indigenous 
sort. They are nimble, hardy and weigh nearly 10 lb. per 
quarter when fatted. The fleeces on the average may weigh 
fy lb. 
The author of a very interesting and valuable work on the 
commercial politics of the times in 1694 used the following 
language: — “ It is no small advantage to trade to be fitted with a 
complete sortment of goods abounding in the middle sort of 
wools excellent of its kind and suitable to a middle sort of 
people, which are far the greater number, and herein is chiefly 
our strength, not that we in the least fall short in the merit of 
our fine wool, our Herefordshire and our Shropshire wool is 
not to be equalled in its kind by any part of the world and 
suitable to almost any degree.” A page or two afterwards this 
author again speaks of the Shropshire and Herefordshire wool 
in these terms : — “ So comprehensive in excellency is our 
English wool that it may be improved to the thickest felt 
which will secure from the most violent storms of wet and be 
likewise drawn to the finest crape and still carrying a merit 
with it and thereby rendering itself a most acceptable 
commodity both in hot and cold climates.” 
Smith in his History of Wool and Woollen Manufactures 
(Chron. Rusticum , published 1641), quotes the wool of 
Shropshire as being the choicest and dearest in England, and 
this is confirmed by Anderson in his “ Origin of Commerce ,” 
giving prices for English Wool in 1343. 
Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, an unenclosed Common, 
was also the habitat of a very similar and equally valuable race 
of a somewhat heavier type from which many of the best flocks 
in Staffordshire were originally descended. 
William Pitt, writing in 1817, describes a grey-faced hornless 
sheep with fine wool, natives of Cannock Chase and Sutton 
Coldfield. These, he states, are the native common sheep, their 
characteristics are grey faces, lighter or darker, varying in 
