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    Re swans, paraphrased from "Keepers of the Kingdom by Bruce, Calder, Cator

    Queen's Swan Marker

    Monarchs since the 13th century have employed a member of the household to protect these royal birds; known variously as Swan Keeper, Swan Master or Swan Marker, each has supported by a Swanherd of qualified helpers.

    In 1895 killing a swan would get the perpetrator 7 weeks hard labour and today stealing, killing or maiming a tame swan is still an act of larceny punishable via the Malicious Damage Act.

    Swans need a six feet diameter nest site and the Swan Marker is responsible for seeing these are protected from ever increasing river traffic.

    Swan Upping is not conducted by the Swan Marker, but by Oxford University who use this exercise to check on the health of the birds. The banning of lead weights for fishing has improved swans' health significantly and this change came as a direct result of the Swan Upping exercises.

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