A cure for sheep scab
A mixture of quicksilver and pig grease was recommended for
treating the murrain.
[Williams, The Cistercians in the Early Middle Ages,
p. 356]
On a day to day basis, the Beaulieu bercarius
was responsible for the construction and repair of buildings used
by the sheep and shepherds, for the digging of dykes, the draining
of fields, and the cutting and stacking hay for winter use. He also
had to tend the horses, to pay and feed the labourers and to make
the sacks for the wool. (65) Whilst
no such in depth-account survives for Fountains Abbey, the mid-fifteenth
century 'Bursar's Book' offers some insight to the nature of sheep-farming
at Fountains at this time. It records, for instance, purchases made
by the master of the sheep (magister ovium) which included iron,
nails, wine and a pair of steps. (66)
A considerable amount of tar was bought, for
this was mixed with grease to make sheep-salve, and each shepherd
carried a pot of this with him, as well as a crook and shears.(67)
The abbot and convent of Fountains were responsible for supplying
the keepers of Warsill grange with tar and salve for the sheep,
whenever it was required.(68) Once the
wool had been washed it was passed to the wardrobekeeper and his
assistant.