Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] sheepherde, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] scēaphyrde, from scēap sheep + hierde herdsman; akin to Old English heord herd

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] sheepherde, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] scēaphyrde, from scēap sheep + hierde herdsman; akin to Old English heord herd

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1:A man who guards, tends, and herds a flock of sheep (grazing at large); usually one so employed for hire; or one of a pastoral people who herds (his own) sheep, goats, etc.

*1:A man who guards, tends, and herds a flock of sheep (grazing at large); usually one so employed for hire; or one of a pastoral people who herds (his own) sheep, goats, etc.

*2:Applied to the rustic personages of pastoral [[poetry]]. Hence, in poetry more or less adopting the pastoral [[convention]], formerly often used to designate the [[writer]] and his [[friends]] or fellow-poets.

*2:Applied to the rustic personages of pastoral [[poetry]]. Hence, in poetry more or less adopting the pastoral [[convention]], formerly often used to designate the [[writer]] and his [[friends]] or fellow-poets.

==Description==

==Description==

'''Shepherding''' is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Minor Asia Minor]. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool wool]. Over the next millennia, sheep and shepherding spread throughout [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasia Eurasia].

'''Shepherding''' is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Minor Asia Minor]. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool wool]. Over the next millennia, sheep and shepherding spread throughout [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasia Eurasia].

Some sheep were [[integrated]] in the [[family]] [[farm]] along with other animals such as chickens and pigs. To maintain a large flock, however, the sheep must be able to move from pasture to pasture; this required the development of an occupation separate from that of the [[farmer]]. The [[duty]] of shepherds was to keep their flock intact and [[protect]] it from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf wolves] and other predators. The shepherd was also to supervise the [[migration]] of the flock and ensured they made it to [[market]] areas in time for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_shearing shearing]. In ancient times shepherds also commonly milked their sheep, and made cheese from this milk; only some shepherds still do this today.

Some sheep were [[integrated]] in the [[family]] [[farm]] along with other animals such as chickens and pigs. To maintain a large flock, however, the sheep must be able to move from pasture to pasture; this required the development of an occupation separate from that of the [[farmer]]. The [[duty]] of shepherds was to keep their flock intact and [[protect]] it from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf wolves] and other predators. The shepherd was also to supervise the [[migration]] of the flock and ensured they made it to [[market]] areas in time for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_shearing shearing]. In ancient times shepherds also commonly milked their sheep, and made cheese from this milk; only some shepherds still do this today.

In many [[societies]] shepherds were an important part of the [[economy]]. Unlike [[farmers]], shepherds were often wage earners, being paid to watch the sheep of others. Shepherds also lived apart from [[society]], being largely [[nomadic]]. It was mainly a job of [[solitary]] [[males]] without [[children]], and new shepherds thus needed to be recruited externally. Shepherds were most often the younger sons of farming [[peasants]] who did not [[inherit]] any [[land]]. Still in other [[societies]], each [[family]] would have a [[family]] member to shepherd its flock, often a child, [[youth]] or an [[elder]] who couldn't help much with harder [[work]]; these shepherds were fully [[integrated]] in [[society]].

In many [[societies]] shepherds were an important part of the [[economy]]. Unlike [[farmers]], shepherds were often wage earners, being paid to watch the sheep of others. Shepherds also lived apart from [[society]], being largely [[nomadic]]. It was mainly a job of [[solitary]] [[males]] without [[children]], and new shepherds thus needed to be recruited externally. Shepherds were most often the younger sons of farming [[peasants]] who did not [[inherit]] any [[land]]. Still in other [[societies]], each [[family]] would have a [[family]] member to shepherd its flock, often a child, [[youth]] or an [[elder]] who couldn't help much with harder [[work]]; these shepherds were fully [[integrated]] in [[society]].

Shepherds would [[normally]] [[work]] in [[groups]] either looking after one large flock, or each bringing their own and merging their [[responsibilities]]. They would live in small cabins, often shared with their sheep and would buy [[food]] from local [[communities]]. Less often shepherds lived in covered wagons that traveled with their flocks.

Shepherds would [[normally]] [[work]] in [[groups]] either looking after one large flock, or each bringing their own and merging their [[responsibilities]]. They would live in small cabins, often shared with their sheep and would buy [[food]] from local [[communities]]. Less often shepherds lived in covered wagons that traveled with their flocks.

Shepherding [[developed]] only in certain areas. In the lowlands and [[river]] valleys, it was far more [[efficient]] to grow grain and cereals than to allow sheep to graze, thus the raising of sheep was confined to rugged and [[mountainous]] areas. In pre-modern times shepherding was thus centered on regions such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East Middle East], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece Greece], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenees Pyrenees], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_Mountains Carpathian Mountains], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland].

Shepherding [[developed]] only in certain areas. In the lowlands and [[river]] valleys, it was far more [[efficient]] to grow grain and cereals than to allow sheep to graze, thus the raising of sheep was confined to rugged and [[mountainous]] areas. In pre-modern times shepherding was thus centered on regions such as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East Middle East], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece Greece], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenees Pyrenees], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_Mountains Carpathian Mountains], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland].

In [[modern]] times shepherding has [[changed]] [[dramatically]]. The [[abolition]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_land common lands] in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth century moved shepherding from independent [[nomads]] to employees of massive estates. Some [[families]] in Africa and Asia have their [[wealth]] in sheep, so a young son is sent out to guard them while the rest of the [[family]] tend to other chores. In the USA, many sheep herds are flocked over public [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureau_of_Land_Management BLM] [[lands]].

In [[modern]] times shepherding has [[changed]] [[dramatically]]. The [[abolition]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_land common lands] in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth century moved shepherding from independent [[nomads]] to employees of massive estates. Some [[families]] in Africa and Asia have their [[wealth]] in sheep, so a young son is sent out to guard them while the rest of the [[family]] tend to other chores. In the USA, many sheep herds are flocked over public [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureau_of_Land_Management BLM] [[lands]].

Wages are higher than was the case in the [[past]]. Keeping a shepherd in constant attendance can be costly. Also, the eradication of sheep predators in parts of the world have lessened the need for shepherds. In places like Britain, hardy breeds of sheep are frequently left alone without a shepherd for long periods of time. More productive breeds of sheep can be left in fields and moved [[periodically]] to fresh pasture when [[necessary]]. Hardier breeds of sheep can be left on hillsides. The sheep farmer will attend to the sheep when necessary at times like lambing or shearing.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd]

Wages are higher than was the case in the [[past]]. Keeping a shepherd in constant attendance can be costly. Also, the eradication of sheep predators in parts of the world have lessened the need for shepherds. In places like Britain, hardy breeds of sheep are frequently left alone without a shepherd for long periods of time. More productive breeds of sheep can be left in fields and moved [[periodically]] to fresh pasture when [[necessary]]. Hardier breeds of sheep can be left on hillsides. The sheep farmer will attend to the sheep when necessary at times like lambing or shearing.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[165:2 Sermon on the Good Shepherd|Sermon on the Good Shepherd]]'''''

*'''''[[165:2 Sermon on the Good Shepherd|Sermon on the Good Shepherd]]'''''

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]