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 shared ownership of the swans with the Soverign for about for about 500 years the honour being granted by Ring Edward IV. Both Companies have wharfs of their own on the Thames sad 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 carsmen wearing the traditional striped jersies and the right side of the bill for the Dyers birds and two nicks on either side for the Vintners. Four little cygnets are caught as they are encircled by the boats. Soon they will be taken aboard to be marked a small nick under the right side of the bill for the Dyers birds and two nick on either side for the Vinters

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Assistants Be-flagged Belong Changed Companies Cygnets Desire Dyers Either Encircled Equally Granted Henley Jersies Masters Nicks Ownership Prompted Putney Shared Skiffs Swans Thirds Unmarked Upping Vintners Wharfs

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