Does the name of market-town pub The Swan with Two Nicks strike you as a bit odd? It doesn’t seem so unusual after you’ve learned a bit of local history. Since the 12th century, unmarked swans belonged to the British monarch, with the exception of those marked by two London livery companies - the Dyers and the Vintners. Traditionally, the fowl owned by these less-than-royal folk were branded by nicks to their beaks - one nick for the Dyers, and two nicks for the Vintners. In time-honoured tradition, order a fine cask ale and settle in before a crackling fire. But to ensure that you don’t incur royal wrath, keep your hands off any unmarked swans that happen to waddle past.
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