Swanherd

Also 6 swannerd, corruptly swanyeard, swannyard. [f. SWAN sb. + HERD sb.²] One who tends swans; an official having charge of swans.

1

1482. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 224/1. Divers Swanherdes, and Kepers of Swannes.

2

1554. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford (1880), 220. For ale for the swanyeardys, ij^d. Ibid., 226. Wyne that was geven to swannerds.

3

1564. Proclam. Q. Eliz. Conserv. Swans. Euery swanherde intending to keepe any swannes or signettes.

4

1602–3. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1888), III. 595. Item y^e swanherd for vpping swans ij^s.

5

a. 1634. Coke, Inst., IV. (1648), 280. What authority the Kings Swanheard hath, being of ancient time by his Office Magister deductus Cygnorum, you may reade Rot. Patentium Anno 11 H. 4. part. 1. m. 14.

6

1883. in Standard, 4 Aug., 3/6. The Queen’s Swanherd, and the officials of the … Companies, have just concluded their … swan-upping excursion on the Thames.

7