It originally comes from interactions between Welsh peasants and English landowners.
A lot of sheep were raised in Wales, on farms owned by the English. Stealing sheep was also a capital offence. Landlords would often just hang the thief from the nearest tree. Even if they didn’t, the judges were all English appointees.
There was a loophole however. Having “canal knowledge” with an animal was dealt with by the local priest. That priest was generally a local Welshman, and would deal with the sin FAR less harshly than theft. The English landlords were quite disgusted by the spate of incidents they were catching red handed.
The joke about Welshmen fucking sheep has lingered into modern times, and even been transferred to other groups who keep a lot of sheep.
The English landlords were horrified, and wanted nothing to do with such acts. Meanwhile the Welsh would laugh at the stupid English for falling for it, while buying the local priest a pint or 2.
It originally comes from interactions between Welsh peasants and English landowners.
A lot of sheep were raised in Wales, on farms owned by the English. Stealing sheep was also a capital offence. Landlords would often just hang the thief from the nearest tree. Even if they didn’t, the judges were all English appointees.
There was a loophole however. Having “canal knowledge” with an animal was dealt with by the local priest. That priest was generally a local Welshman, and would deal with the sin FAR less harshly than theft. The English landlords were quite disgusted by the spate of incidents they were catching red handed.
The joke about Welshmen fucking sheep has lingered into modern times, and even been transferred to other groups who keep a lot of sheep.
So when a thief was caught, they’d quickly pretend to not be absconding with the sheep but to be getting to know it biblically?
Pretty much.
The English landlords were horrified, and wanted nothing to do with such acts. Meanwhile the Welsh would laugh at the stupid English for falling for it, while buying the local priest a pint or 2.