ESL Blogs

I think I have been dragging this Did You Know? series as far as it can goes. I have been thinking of ending it a few times, and hence the reason of this blog talking about swan in general. This may be the last of the series, or may be just an interlude, but what ever it is going to be, it is really fun writing the series so far. And I would like to thank to each and everyone of you for reading and commenting on the Did You Know? blogs.

Did You Know?

1. All Swans in England are belong to the King

I came across the ancient English law when I was reading an article about the Monarchy of England. Did you know that one ancient English law still being enforced today in United Kingdom is the Act of Swan 1576. This Act was implemented during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603). The Act decreed that all wild mute swans in England were the property of the Crown; i.e. the Monarch of England, and only the Crown could grant ownership of mute swans.

King Henry VIII introduced a law with regards to swans, of which under its definitions; "A swan is royal fowl, and all swans the owner of which is not known belong to the Crown". Severe penalties were imposed under the law for stealing or killing swans which including interfering with their nests and polluting the water of a swan's habitat. Until this day, this Act still carries stiff penalties, and maybe even jailed for the people who committed the offence. 

2. Swan Song

When a person is said to do his(her) swan song, it means it is his(her) final public performance or professional activity before retirement. The origin of this phrase came from a legend that said that while swans were mostly mute during their life time, they will sing beautifully and mournfully before they died. Though the legend was proven to be untrue, but many poets and playwrights used more for poetic imagination rather scientific proof. So until to-date, swan song is still being used for indicating final public performance before retirement.

At this juncture, I am taking a bow from writing this series. It is fun while it lasts. Once again, thank you so much for giving the time to read the Did You Know? series.

The Did You Know? series blogs are:-

1. Did You Know?  2. Did You Know? - Continuation   3. Did You Know - Another Continuation   4. Did You Know - Not Another Continuation!   5. Did You Know? - Gosh! Will it Never Ends?   6. Did You Know? - Oh No! Not Another One!   7. Did You Know? - Here Comes Another One!  8. Did You Know? - Another One?   9. Did You Know? - One, Two, Eighty Six?  10. Did You Know? - Punishment? OMG!   11. Did You Know? - John has it All?