March 21, 2005

Viking Or Crown?

SIR Peter Maxwell Davies, Master of the Queen's Music, is under police investigation after officers raided his kitchen - and discovered he had prepared a dead swan for his dinner.

Sir Peter said he found the electrocuted bird beneath power lines and was planning to make it into a "delicious" terrine.

His menu has not impressed the authorities, however. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which applies across the UK, the whooper swan is a protected species and according to ancient laws only the Queen is allowed to sample the delicacy.

But on Orkney, where Sir Peter lives, a Viking law says swans are the property of the people and not the Crown.

The rest of the tale here.

Posted by Ithildin at March 21, 2005 12:37 PM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE

Isn't this a little like eating roadkill?

Posted by: TR at March 22, 2005 8:48 AM

Swan? Feh!

I do a pretty good roast duck. And my smoked duck is killer.

Posted by: Russ at March 22, 2005 9:03 AM

The whole 'Swans are Crown property' thing seems to extend to Canada. One of the Swans that live on the Rideau near Billings Bridge here in Ottawa was shot with a pellet gun a few years ago. It was something of a big deal since they are protected, etc. The shooter was never captured so the necessity of drawing and quartering never came up.

Posted by: Dr_Funk at March 22, 2005 10:24 PM