Raydale medieval sheepfold and washdub complex

Description

Sheep farming was an important element in the economy of a number of Medieval monastic houses in the Yorkshire Dales. Jervaulx Abbey owned extensive estates in Upper Wensleydale and field archaeologists have discovered the remains of a sheepfold and washdub complex that might have been part of these monastic holdings. The remains lie at the meeting point of Shaw Gate Gill and Cragdale Water in Raydale above Semerwater. Here sheep would have been gathered and their fleeces washed prior to shearing. The wool was sold as a valuable cash item.

Source:

Moorhouse, Stephen (2003) ‘The anatomy of the Yorkshire Dales: deciphering the medieval landscape’ in Manby, T G et al (eds) (2003) The Archaeology of Yorkshire: an assessment at the beginning of the 21st century. Yorkshire Archaeological Society Occasional Paper No 3 pp298-362