In the UK, Does the queen own the Swans and is it treason to kill one?

Question

In the UK, Does the queen own the Swans and is it treason to kill one?

Answer 1

if its treason to kill one.

then that's just plain scary.

who would even go near them. they're like attack birds/

Answer 2

The Queen doesn't OWN swans but they are protected by her under the wildlife and countryside act.

It isn't classed as treason if you kill a swan, but it was up until 1998, its still illegal though.

Answer 3

Not just the UK, but all the Commonwealth nations.

I remember reading something in the paper a few months back about a mentally ill man here in Australia who was taken to court over attempting to kill a swan.

Answer 4

Apparently swans in the UK are properties of the Queen who is the "Seigneur of the Swans." Therefore it is a serious crime for anyone to harm or kill any of "the Queen's Swans" and could face up to 6 months behind bars. However, The Royal Prerogative by which swans belong to the Queen looks likely to be scrapped under Gordon Brown's programme of constitutional reform.

Until the turkey took its place, the swan was considered a banqueting delicacy to be served up at Royal feasts in Westminster Hall or in Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. Swans are no longer eaten, but royal protective laws remain in force, (without the harsher penalties of death or maiming), and swan upping now has conservation as its raison d'etre.

Answer 5

It is illegal.

When I was at Kengsington Park, I was attacked by the swans.  It was scary, I was in the third grade!  They were bigger than me!

Swans hiss!!!!

Answer 6

only some of them,a guild house own the rest.It's all to do with the number of nicks on the beak of the swan.

But treason?  Big call

Answer 7

that is right the queen owns all the swans in england and you would be taken to court if you hurt one