Return to 1997 SUMMER Index
by Anita Hunter
Monday 14 July 1997 signals the first day of the annual 'Swan Upping' on the River
Thames. For English tradition and eccentricity at its most charming, this is an event that is
hard to beat. All the swans on the Thames are owned either by the Queen, the Vintners or
the Dyers. The purpose of the 'upping' is to record the number of birds on the River and
mark the new cygnets (baby swans) to show who owns them.
The swan holds a unique position as a British bird. It has been a Royal bird since at least 1186 and is the only bird that can be an 'estray'. All swans at liberty on open or common waters belong to the Crown by prerogative right. The Crown could and did grant the privilege of keeping swans on open and common waters provided that they were 'pinioned' and 'marked'. However, if a bird strayed and was not recaptured within a year and a day, ownership passed back to the crown.
The swans on the River Thames are Mute Swans (Cygnus olor). They are present in Britain all year round
and are distinguished by a bright orange beak, which has a knob of black tissue on the top. They are not, as
their name implies, mute but have a range of honks and hisses. Although elegant and beautiful, they are also
very thick (i.e. stupid), which makes them rather endearing.
It is not known whether the Mute Swan is an indigenous species or introduced from abroad in a state of captivity. Legend has it that they were introduced by Richard I when he returned from the Crusades. But historical records indicate that they were widespread in the mid 13th Century which suggests that their presence predates the Crusades.
Swans were kept for a variety of reasons. As a Royal bird they were highly valued and created an air of distinction. They made highly prized gifts and were customarily eaten at Christmas and at banquets. As they were cheap to rear they could easily be turned to profit through sale.
The swan's royal status was formally enshrined in the 'Act of Swans' which came into force in 1482. The
Act provided formal legislation concerning the ownership and marking of swans. Later ordinances and
proclamations provided further guidance on the keeping and conservation of 'The Kynges Swanes and
Sygnetes'. The 1482 act introduced a right of 'possession by prescription' and a property qualification that
restricted the possession of a 'Swan Mark' to landowners. More recently, a specific clause was made in The
Wild Creatures and Forest Law Act 1971 to safeguard the Queen's rights in respect of swans.
'Swan Motes' or 'Swanning Courts' were set up to enforce the swan laws. Transgressors were tried by a jury, presided over by a chief commissioner. These courts also had the power to draw up regulations affecting swan keeping in their area and settle disputes concerning ownership.
The 'Master of the Swans' was and still is responsible to the crown for the care of the royal swans and the general supervision of swan keeping throughout England. It is not known when the post was created although evidence suggests that there was a Swan-Master from at least the 14th Century. Prior to that, duties appear to have been carried out by officials having purely local jurisdiction.
Swan Marking was necessary, as with other animals, to distinguish ownership. Swan-Marks were
essentially in the nature of scars or deficiencies. Upper mandible marks were the most important.
Other, less common marks were made on the lower mandible, leg, foot or wing. Leg and foot
marks were made by cutting, branding, slitting or punching holes in the foot or by removing toes or
claws. Beak marks on the upper or lower mandible were produced by cutting with a sharp knife.
This then produced a scar. Once legally obtained by grant or prescription from the crown, the
Swan-Mark together with the 'game' of swans marked with it became the absolute property of the
owner. 'Swan-rolls' were kept to record each mark and the name of the owner.
The swan laws required that swans had to be 'marked' and 'pinioned'. Pinioning ensured that the
swans did not stray and involved clipping the swan's wing to prevent flight. As a result of pressure
from the media and animal protection organizations, pinioning finally ceased in 1978. Although
Swan-Marks are no longer as elaborate as they used to be, they are still considered to be cruel and
unnecessary by some conservationists and swan protection organizations.
Swans start to breed when they are 3-4 years old although some will pair up earlier. They usually pair for life but if one dies or they fail to breed, they will find a new mate. Mating occurs between February and early May. Eggs are laid in April and May, usually 5-7 eggs in a clutch. Incubation starts only when all the eggs have been laid and it takes around 35 days for the cygnets to hatch. The Swan Upping is always held on the third week in July when the cygnets are considered old enough to be handled. By the end of the following winter, the cygnets will have left their parents, often to join non-breeding flocks of juvenile and mate-less birds.
Today, there are only three owners of the swans on the River Thames: Her Majesty the Queen, The Vintners Company and The Dyers Company. The Dyers derived their swan rights by a grant from the crown in 1473; the Vintners by a grant before 1483. Royal swans are unmarked, whilst those of the Vintners have a mark on each side of the mandible and those of the Dyers have a single mark. The pub name 'The Swan with Two Necks' is a corruption of the phrase 'The Swan with Two Nicks' meaning a swan with the Swan-Mark of the Vintners Company.
Swan Upping (or Swan Hopping as it was called for many years) is an ancient tradition that has been carried out on the River Thames for some 500 years. The actual 'upping' is the taking of the birds out of the water. The very early swan voyages were practical and were done solely for the purpose of recording the number of swans and marking the new cygnets with the owner's Swan-Mark. In the 18th Century they became much more elaborate and ceremonial, with specially decorated boats and the Swan-Master and 'Swan-Uppers' attired in fine costumes. Today, the event is less spectacular but it is still a fascinating and entertaining custom.
The voyage used to start at London Bridge and ended at Henley but is now restricted to the stretch
of river between Walton-on-Thames and Whitchurch. The Queen's Swan-Master oversees the
operation and is assisted by the Swan Keepers of the Vintners and Dyers. Red, white and blue
uniforms distinguish each group. The swan-uppers travel in traditional wooden rowing boats (called
barges) which are towed for much of the journey to ensure that the Upping is completed within 5
days. In theory, the boats should reach Windsor Lock, Sonning Lock and Marlow Lock on
respective nights but the number and co-operation of the swans dictate the actual timetable.
Telephone H.M.Swan-Master +44 (0)1628 523030 for details of
the exact whereabouts of the fleet.
The actual 'Upping' of the swans is fascinating to watch and skillfully done. When a family of swans
is seen, the rowing boats are manoeuvred so that the swans are trapped against the riverbank. The
swans and cygnets are then carefully lifted out of the water and restrained by having their feet tied
together behind their back. Although frightened by the initial capture, the birds quickly become calm
and docile. They are then counted, recorded and where appropriate, given a marking to show
ownership. Cygnets will have the same owner as the Pen (female) parent. A naturalist is also on
hand to weigh, measure and check on the health of the cygnets. Once this has been completed, the
birds are returned to the river and the procession of boats continues up-river in the search for more swans.
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The fleet traditionally stops for lunch on the first Monday at the Swan Hotel in Staines. This riverside pub offers good bar food and is a great place to start if you want to watch the Upping. Follow the fleet on foot along the Thames path (a degree of fitness is required for this) or alternatively drive and catch up with them at places where there is access to the river from the road. It is a tricky spectator sport as it is wholly dependent on the presence and whereabouts of the swan. But persevere, it's well worth the effort.
