Game of Swannes

The collective noun for swans is “game”, a term which dates back to at lease 1554 when William Romsey of Bieton left his game to “my wyffe Elizabeth during her lyffe and at her decease, at the marking time next after, to remain Anne Bartilmew and Kunegunde Dix and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten.” Nothing quite like keeping it in the family it would seem.

Swans were, and still are, the property of the monarch and cannot be privately owned without Royal assent. 

Area in stitches: 187 x 251