SWAN UPPING

The video explores the tradition of swan upping, a practice dating back nearly 500 years, where swans on the Thames are marked to establish ownership. Historically, swans were considered royal birds, and only specific guilds could claim them. Today, swan upping continues between Blackfriars and Henley, serving both traditional and environmental purposes, as it helps monitor the swan population amidst increasing river pollution.

What was the primary purpose of the swan upping ceremony?

• To train watermen for rowing competitions

• To clean the Thames River

• To celebrate the arrival of spring

• To mark and claim ownership of swans

Which groups were historically allowed to claim swans?

• Local fishermen and traders

• The worshipful company of dyers and vintners

• The British Parliament

• The royal family and the church

What distinguishes royal swans from others in the swan upping ceremony?

• They are kept in separate enclosures

• They are larger in size

• They are not marked on the beak

• They have a special crown mark

Why is swan upping considered necessary in modern times?

• To attract tourists

• Due to increasing river pollution

• To maintain the tradition

• To train new watermen

What observation was made about the swan population during the ceremony?

• It is just about maintaining its numbers

• It is thriving and increasing

• It has significantly decreased

• It has become extinct