Swan upping on the River Thames, London

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 of the Vintners and the Dyers Companies proceeding up the river from London Bridge at the start of the Swan Upping Ceremony. Tower Bridge is seen in the background

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Assistants Be-flagged Belong Changed Companies Desire Dyers Either Equally Granted Jersies Lift Markings Masters Nicks Oarsmen Ownership Proceeding Prompted Putney Shared Skiffs Swans Thirds Tilt Unmarked Uppers Upping Vintners Wharfs

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