G
Guest
Guest
Its only illegal in London apparently.
Since the 12th century, the Crown has
held the right to ownership over all
wild, unmarked mute swans in open
water. However, the Queen only
exercises her right over parts of the
Thames and its tributaries. This right
is shared with the Vintners’ Company
and the Dyers’ Company, livery
companies of the City of London.
Every year, the Swan Upping
ceremony is carried out by the Crown
and the Companies to record and
mark all the swans in the area.
Killing one of the Queen’s mute
swans may be unlawful, but it has
never been an act of treason.
Furthermore, tame swans and all
other varieties of wild swan (eg
whooper and Bewick’s swans) are
free.
http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/docs/Legal_Oddities.pdf
Since the 12th century, the Crown has
held the right to ownership over all
wild, unmarked mute swans in open
water. However, the Queen only
exercises her right over parts of the
Thames and its tributaries. This right
is shared with the Vintners’ Company
and the Dyers’ Company, livery
companies of the City of London.
Every year, the Swan Upping
ceremony is carried out by the Crown
and the Companies to record and
mark all the swans in the area.
Killing one of the Queen’s mute
swans may be unlawful, but it has
never been an act of treason.
Furthermore, tame swans and all
other varieties of wild swan (eg
whooper and Bewick’s swans) are
free.
http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/docs/Legal_Oddities.pdf