Up the swans
The King’s Swan Marker visited Abingdon yesterday for the centuries-old tradition of Swan Upping. Once established to verify ownership of swans on the Thames, this tradition now focuses on swan conservation, welfare, and education. Our photographer, Roger Close, assisted by the Clarion's Abingdon correspondent, went along to take a look.
It's just the one swan, actually. (Photo credit: left, the Clarion's Abingdon correspondent; right, Roger Close.)
Although the swans made themselves scarce on the day, onlookers turned out in force to witness the tradition.
There are only four bodies permitted to own swans in the UK: the Crown, the Ilchester family, and two livery companies, the Vintners and the Dyers. Representatives from these avian-owning institutions flock to the Thames in wooden skiffs for five days during the third week of July, looking for swans.
On locating a family of swans, the Uppers give the cry ‘All Up!’ and surround the swans until the birds can be lifted from the water. Originally, the birds' beaks were marked to denote ownership and their wings pinioned to reduce flight. Now, however, the birds are left mercifully intact, with cygnets receiving an identifying leg ring unless they belong to the Crown, in which case they are left unmarked (nb: all unmarked swans belong to the Crown).
The Uppers also check for injured swans, and provide care. The most common injury is from fishing tackle, but they may also pick up injury and illness due to cruelty, predators or accidents. Any seriously injured swans are taken in for medical care.
Abingdon was the final stop on the Uppers' five day journey down the Thames, which started in Sunbury-on-Thames. To mark the final location, the Uppers raised a toast to the King. They then disembarked, and went to The Nag's Head for a well-earned pint, according to our local reporting team.
The 13th century role of the Keeper of the King's Swans was split into two in 1993. At this time, Oxford's Professor Chris Perrins, FRS, LVO, was appointed as the first and thus far only Warden of the Swans, alongside David Barber, MVO, as the Marker of the Swans.
If your curiosity has been piqued, and you think swan spotting might become your newest hobby, you can find out more here.
