Swan Upping-Picturesque Ceremony that has not changed for 400 Years: The traditional old ceremony of Swan Upping is now taking place on the Thames between Putney and Henley.Two thirds of the 600 to 700 swans on the Thames belong to the Queen and are unmarked, The others are shared equally between the Dyers and the vintners Companies.The Companies have a shared ownership of the swans with the Soveraign for about 500 years the honour being granted by King Edward IV. Both companies have wharfs of their men on the Thames and it may have been a desire for friendship which prompted the King to make the lift to these out of all the many City Companies. The Swan masters and their assistants make the journey up the river in be-flagged skiffs the oarsmen wearing the traditional striped jersies and caps.Traditional markings still used are a small nick under the right sie of the bill for the dyers birds and two nicks on either side for the Vintners.Swan Uppers in their traditional striped jersies sit in the boats which fly the Vinters and the Dyers Companies pennants and are tower up the river to where the swans are known to neat,
Photo measures 8 x 10 inches.
Photo is dated --none.
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