SWAN UPPING 



Amongst the old customs which still survive in 

 connection with city companies is the annual 

 practice of "swan upping," or taking up the swans 

 on the river Thames, at the end of July or 

 beginning of August, for the purpose of marking 

 them, so as to denote their ownership. The 

 practice is a very ancient one, regulated by Acts 

 of Parliament and Orders in Council, and was 

 ■originally not confined to the Thames, but extended 

 to all parts of England. I have numerous notes on 

 this subject relating to swanneries and swan-marks 

 in the counties of Lancaster, Norfolk, Suffolk, 

 Lincoln, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Middlesex, Dor- 

 set, and Somerset, but for our present purpose need 

 only refer to those which relate to the Thames. 



The privilege of keeping swans — a royal bird — 

 seems to have extended back as far, at least, as 

 1483, as appears by laws and orders made in that 

 year and in the year 1496. In creating this privi- 

 lege the Crown granted swan-marks (cygninotcB) to 

 •denote ownership, and the books or rolls of swan- 

 marks that have come down to us are amongst the 

 most curious relics of the past. Formerly no one 

 might keep swans who was not possessed of free- 

 hold land of the yearly value of 5 marks, and under 



