The Cotswolds are a band of rolling hills that run through the middle of Gloucestershire. The countryside is ideal for sheep farming which has been its principle use for the last 500 years. During the 16th century, English wool was considered the best in Europe and the best wool in England came from Gloucestershire, particularly the Cotswolds area. The sheep bred were affectionately known as the Cotswold Lions due to their large gold coloured fleeces. Being a large, polled breed they were most closely related to the Lincoln and Leister breeds. They were considered quite easy to raise as they could thrive in harsh climates.
Shearing was done with hand shears, usually right there in the field, and the wool was then either hand carded (brushed) and spun by the women folk with spindles (later spinning wheels) or packed into bales and taken to the various woollen mills by horse.