the swan pit norwich autumn

navigate by keyword : wings wild waterfilled water united undefined tidal swans swan source selected riverside pool ponds pit period pattern owners norwich norfolk medieval mark listed kingdom killed income human hospital grounds great grade gifts found fed fattened eventually england enclosure distinctive cygnets cut consumption complex clipped century built bills bearing autumn acceptable 18th

The Swan Pit, Norwich in Autumn Royalty Free Stock Photo

A swan pit is a water-filled enclosure where swans were fattened and eventually killed for human consumption. The swan pit at the Great Hospital, Norwich during the medieval period swans were kept in ponds and were a source of income and made acceptable gifts. Selected wild cygnets had their wings clipped and bills cut into a distinctive pattern bearing the owner's mark. An example of a swan pit can be found within the grounds of the Great Hospital, Norwich. The Grade II listed tidal pool was built in the 18th century and is fed with water from the adjacent River Wensum.