<P> By prerogative right , the British Crown enjoys ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water . Rights over swans may , however , be granted to a subject by the Crown ( accordingly they may also be claimed by prescription . ) The ownership of swans in a given body of water was commonly granted to landowners up to the 16th century . The only bodies still to exercise such rights are two livery companies of the City of London . Thus the ownership of swans in the Thames is shared equally among the Crown , the Vintners ' Company and the Dyers ' Company . </P>
<P> By prerogative right , the British Crown enjoys ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water . Rights over swans may , however , be granted to a subject by the Crown ( accordingly they may also be claimed by prescription . ) The ownership of swans in a given body of water was commonly granted to landowners up to the 16th century . The only bodies still to exercise such rights are two livery companies of the City of London . Thus the ownership of swans in the Thames is shared equally among the Crown , the Vintners ' Company and the Dyers ' Company . </P>
who do all the swans in england belong to
who do all the swans in england belong to
the British Crown
the British Crown