Ah.... another year...
and time to start doing taxes again!
Baa Baa Black Sheep have
you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three
bags full.
One for the master and one
for the dame,
And one for the little boy
who lives down the lane.
"Baa, Baa, Black Sheep is an early complaint about
taxes. Some versions even end: 'and NONE for the little boy who lives
down the lane'... which seems very unfair as the 'little boy' represented
either the farmers or the people of England.
The wealth of England was
largely a result of the trade in wool, hence the woolsack on which the Lord
Chancelor still sits today in the House of Lords (bet you
didn't know that either did you?- kbh). The woolsack was introduced
by King Edward III in the fourteenth century and though originally filled with
English wool, it is currently packed with wool from each of the countries of the
Commonwealth, in order to express unity among member states. Quite how a British
lord plonking himself down on the produce of more than fifty countries
symbolizes concord is hard to say, though it does provide a good metaphor for
the British Empire.
During feudal times, taxes
did not go to the Chancelor or even the European Union. In the Middle Ages,
farmers were required to give one-third of their income (which could be in the
form of goods such as wool) to their master ( the local lord ) who
would in turn pass one third of it to the King ... and another third to the dame
(representing the Church). The final third they kept for themselves or sold, and
this was the part that went to the 'little boy'. Of course, if you really want
to bleat about it, the sheep started off with all the wool but ended up with
none at all..."
Exerpt from Heavy Words, Lightly Thrown by
Chris Roberts [this is a GREAT book about
the history behind nursery rhymes - kbh)
For Sale: a black sheep "for
the taxman"
Nov 05HMFF
Ganymeade A black yearling ewe F1
HYBRID (Bluefaced x Border Leicester) exposed (and probably bred)
back to a Grand Champion colored Bluefaced Leicester. $300.00 (if
she is not bred, I will refund $50)
Rams available
too!
HMFF Jupiter - older silver
herdsire / Border Leicester / $150 purebred, no papers
HMFF 203y - white 2005 ram lamb /
F1 Hybrid BL x BFL with blue skin/ triplet
$250
HMFF Jacinta's Boy - white 2005
ram lamb / 3/4 Bluefaced Leicester extra fine/ twin
$250
And for your spinning
pleasure:
Beaded Orifice
Hooks! Every one unique and joyful
$6.50 includes postage
For more info on sheep or
hooks contact Kathy at hmffarm@fidnet.com