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 shared ownership of the swans with the Sovereign for about 500 years the honour being granted by King Edward IV. Both companies have wharfs of their own on the Thames and it may have been a desire for friendship which prompted the King to make the gift 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 side of the bill for the Dyers birds and two nicks on either side for the Vintners.Off Tags Island, boatmen manoeuvre their boat in pursuit of the unmarked swans. Only the swans belonging to the Vintners and the Dyers companies are marked, those belonging to the Queen are left untouched.
Photo measures 10 x 8 inches.
Photo is dated --none.
Photo back:
