Richard the Lionheart is said to have brought swans to Britain from Cyprus after his third crusade. The Swans were domesticated for food, with individuals being marked by nicks and their webbed feet or beak to indicate ownership. These marks were registered with the Crown and a Royal Swanherd was appointed. Any birds not so marked became Crown property, hence the swan became known as the “Royal Bird.” The male is known as a cob, the female as a pen, and the young as cygnets. After four months the cygnets are able to fly.