Swimming with the enemy

 

Credit for the image:  the  Guardian

"As a child, I saw shock flash in my grandfather’s eyes when he was accosted by a swan. I have been terrified ever since. But I want to find peace with these beautiful birds"

Thanks to JP of Pakefield for bringing this 'shocking' article to our attention!

It came upon the midnight clear

 

'Mute Night' 

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled

And still their heavenly music floats

                                   O'er all the weary world                                          

Swans were luxury goods in Europe from at least the 12th century onward; the Medieval equivalent of flashing a Rolex or driving a Lamborghini. Owning swans signaled nobility, along with flying a hawk, running hounds or riding a battle-trained destrier (a knight's warhorse). Swans were eaten as a special dish at feasts, served as a centerpiece in their skin and feathers with a lump of blazing incense in the beak - the medieval equivalent of a 'Slutty Kebab'. They were particularly associated with Christmas, when they would be served in large numbers at royal feasts; forty swans were ordered for Henry III’s Christmas celebrations in 1247 at Winchester (not to be confused with The Winchester a 'watering-hole' associated with minders and  zombies ).

A Merry Christmas 2021 to all 'Blog Readers and Swan Fanciers' around the world and let us not forget, that during the Yuletide Festivities, those mute white feathered buggers are almost undetectable in the snow.