Hayward (profession)

Hayward, or "hedge warden", was an occupation in the Middle Ages, now defunct.

The hayward was chosen by the lord of the manor or elected by the villagers to lead the sowing and harvesting, to impound stray cattle, and to supervise hedging and temporary fencing around hay meadows. The hayward's symbol of office was a horn, which he blew to give warning that cattle were invading the crops.

The nursery rhyme character Little Boy Blue was a hayward.