reddleman
A reddleman is a historical tradesperson in rural Britain who applied reddle, a red pigment made from iron oxide, to sheep to indicate ownership, sale, or destination. The practice arose in parts of England where large flocks were moved between farms and markets, and markings helped shepherds, buyers, and sellers identify which animals belonged to whom.
The reddleman traditionally traveled with a pack, carrying reddle in bags or pouches and employing brushes,
Geographically, reddlemen were most associated with northern and western England, though similar practices existed in other
The reddleman profession declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as livestock management practices