Shropshire Routes to Roots

2.The open field system

Under the Midland System two open-fields were ploughed and sown on an annual basis and the third field was rested (fallow). During the fallow period an open-field could be grazed which kept weeds under control and provided the soil with manure. Each field was divided into strips (selions ) which were allocated among the lord, his tenants and the incumbent . The cropping of these fields was controlled by a 'Field Master' or 'Reeve' appointed by the manor court. One of the assistants of the 'Reeve' was the 'Pinder' who had particular responsibility for controlling straying cattle, especially those that might stray into the crops growing in the arable fields or the grass being kept for hay in the meadows, hence the nursery rhyme 'Little Boy Blue'.

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn,
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.
Where is the boy who looks after the sheep?
He's under a haycock, fast asleep.
Will you wake him? No not I,
For if I do he's sure to cry.

Little boy Blue was apparently a Pinder's young assistant.The 'Pinder' would keep any stray cattle in the 'Pound' until compensation had been paid for any damage sustained.

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