One of the oldest recognized occupations, is that of the shepherd. Sheep are thought to be one of the earliest domesticated species. They were kept primarily for their milk, wool, and meat (though you can make lots of fun stuff from them). While relatively docile (unlike their devil cousins, goats, who might also be watched over by shepherds), these little beauties do have a tendency to wander off and get themselves eaten by predators, or otherwise killed; thus the need for the sheep herder (if you missed on where the word shepherd came from). While not the most respected of occupations, due to living relatively spartan lives near the animals, the shepherd has a significant place in our history.
Shepherds were often individuals who were hired to watch over a flock, not the owners. They were often drawn from the owner's family, single men or boys (but young girls could be shepherds too) who would live in rough houses out by the pastures, near their charges. Every morning the shepherd would lead the flock out of the fold to their pasturage, watch them during the day to make sure the were cared for and protected, then return them to the fold each night. Herding them properly was an important skill, enabling the shepherd to get them to pasture and also to market when it was time for the shearing. To aid in the herding, many shepherds employed dogs to keep the stock together and moving. Some shepherds also milked their sheep to make cheese. In some cases, the sheep would require protection from predators or thieves during night as well as the day.
The shepherd's crook has been co-opted by various religions for its
simple symbolism, but it is a highly practical tool. The main crook was
useful for hooking a sheep's leg or neck, to control the animal. The
small recurve at the end of the crook could be used to hang a lantern
(we've already discussed oil lamps, so check my previous posts). The
staff itself was sturdy enough to aid in walking across the rough or
uneven ground sure to be encountered leading sheep either to pasture or
to market, or for smacking across the snout of a predator (man or
beast). The shepherd doesn't just benignly guard his flock. He keeps them in line and thwacks evil-doers as well.
A shepherd was sometimes required to live off the land to properly care for his charges. He might sleep out under the stars, in a tent, or under a "burrow-hurdle (a simple lean-to) to stay near his flock. Depending upon local conditions, a large flock might need to be led from pasture to pasture to provide enough forage. Reliable water sources are not always abundant. When living in this manner, they are much more likely to encounter wild animals (wolves, lions, etc) from which they will have to defend the flock. To this purpose, they traditionally carried slings (to go with the crook) and had working dogs to support them (really, it's much easier to find info on the dogs than the men). Shepherds were required to be largely self-sufficient.
Like most animals, the digestive byproducts of sheep (manure) could be extremely important to a farm with poor soil. Southwest England, in the 19th Century, was just such a place. Instead of roaming free, the sheep were tightly penned to focus manure production and moved daily to new sites. The shepherds in these situations essentially developed mobile homes. There would be a stove in one corner, a living room, and a bedroom (surprisingly, a bathroom wasn't mentioned). One standard feature was a large door, pointed downwind, to allow the shepherd to hear his flock clearly. A complementary relationship such as this seems perfectly natural in any soil-poor region.
While not the most dynamic of positions, shepherds played an extremely important role in human history (they're still important today, just somewhat different). The pastoral ideal of the shepherd in a pasture playing his pipes, with his charges nestled in the grass around him, is a powerful one, and not entirely incorrect. Much like any outdoor job, envisioned by those working in an office, it's idealized. Being a shepherd was kinda like being a cowboy, but without the horses (they were pretty expensive then too). They were constantly exposed to the elements (we have to assume melanomas were an issue) and the predation of viscous animals (perhaps of more concern than the melanomas). Plus, they had to keep those dumb beasts in line. While perhaps not the most colorful of lifestyles for a Fantasy hero, it's certainly a fine starting-place for one, or he could simply be a reasonable person to encounter on the road (or in the field). The lowly shepherd is a worth addition to any Fantasy setting.
Biblical Info - http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/shepherd/
Shepherd's Crook - http://www.wolston.com/crooks/history.html
19th C England - http://www.shepherd-hut.co.uk/history.html
Sheep Specific Info - http://www.sheep101.info/index.html
Victorian Conditions - http://www.victorianweb.org/victorian/history/work/21.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd
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