History
Saxon Sheep Origins in Time
The origins of the Saxon sheep can be traced back to strains of the Spanish merino. Initially traced to the Atlas Mountains and the North African Maghreb in the 11th Century, it was here the sheep were preserved for centuries by Spanish Royalty and influential noblemen of the time. The finest of all these strains were established at El Escorial Palace. In 1765 the Elector of Saxony obtained some of these sheep. (Saxony was an independent state of what is now Germany). The finest wool of Saxony soon eclipsed that of Spain.
​
Eliza Forlong
In the 1820's Eliza Forlong a Scottish woman from Glasgow, contributed to save the Saxon sheep from complete extinction.
Eliza Forlong and her husband John decided to move to a warmer climate in Australia to grow wool and for the health of their children. Eliza walked many kilometres through Saxony to select the finest and best sheep she could find. In 1829 William Forlong, sailed on the long four month voyage with her first flock of sheep, finally the ship berthed in Hobart.
​
On arrival to Van Diemen's Land, Governor Arthur realising the value of these sheep, persuaded the Forlongs to settle in Tasmania, and granted 2,560 acres, in the Campbell Town district, they named this property Kenilworth.
​
Winton is the neighbouring property. This provided the Taylor family an opportunity to purchase Kenilworth and a large portion of the Forlong Saxon sheep.
.jpg)
Saxon Sanctuary
111 years after Eliza Forlong arrived in Australia with a flock of pure Saxon sheep, the breed was wiped out in Europe through wars and a government edict in Germany to interbreed the Saxon sheep with cross bred German sheep for mutton.
​
Now the only remaining pure Saxon sheep are carefully managed in fine wool areas of Australia.
​
