Monday Miscellany

Jacob Sheep on the Trentham Estate

It was lovely to see them as we walked up the hill towards the Monument.  Apparently there are 31 sheep in this flock and they were obviously spread out across the moorland, grass and ferny areas of the walk.  We saw a little group of no more than a dozen.

Here are some facts about Jacob Sheep

1.  They are believed to be the oldest breed in the world and were first mentioned in the Old Testament Book of Genesis.

2.  They were named after Jacob who worked for fourteen years for his father-in-law Laban without pay for the love of his wife Rachel.  He asked to be allowed to keep his share of the sheep - all the speckled and spotted ones.

3.  The sheep were taken to the Iberian Peninsula from North Africa in the 8th century.

4. Until recently the Jacobs were also called 'Spanish Sheep' as it was originally thought that the first sheep to come to Britain swam ashore from a sinking Spanish Galleon during the Armada of 1588.

5.  During the 18th century they were also known as 'The Gentleman's Sheep' as they were used as decoration in the grounds of many stately homes and grand estates. 

You can find out more from the Jacob Sheep Society