Keeper of the Queen's Swans
Encyclopedia
The Keeper of the King's/Queen's Swans was an ancient office in the Royal Household
of the Sovereign
of England, later Great Britain and ultimately the United Kingdom
.
on the River Thames
.
It was abolished in 1993, when it was replaced by two new offices, the Warden of the Swans
and the Marker of the Swans
.
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of England, later Great Britain and ultimately the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
The keeper's office dates from the 13th century; he was supported by three swanherdsmen, and their principal duties related to the annual Swan-UppingSwan Upping
Swan Upping is an annual ceremonial and practical activity in Britain in which mute swans on the River Thames are rounded up, caught, marked, and then released....
on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
.
It was abolished in 1993, when it was replaced by two new offices, the Warden of the Swans
Warden of the Swans
The Warden of the Swans is a new office in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, created in 1993 when the ancient post of Keeper of the Kings Swans was divided into two new posts...
and the Marker of the Swans
Marker of the Swans
Marker of the Swans, or Swan Marker, is an office in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.-History:The role was created in 1993 when the ancient post of Keeper of the Kings Swans was replaced by two new posts; the other being the Warden of the Swans.-Role of the marker:The...
.
List of Keepers of the King's and Queen's Swans
(incomplete)- Captain John Turk, MVO 1963–1993
- Frederick Thomas Turk, MVO c.1938