Swan Upping(Photo: Daily Mail, 2007) In England, all mute swans on the Thames belong either to the Queen or to one of two London livery companies, the Vintners’ Company and the Dyers’ Company. Originally, all swans belonged to the the monarch, but a 15th century charter gave shares to the two livery companies. In the third week of July, when the cygnets are in moult and cannot fly, they are...
In Norse myth, swans were born out of Ginnungagap (”seeming emptiness”) when the fire of Múspellsheimr (”flame-land”) in the south met the cold of Niflheimr (”mist-land”) in the north. Fire and frost were the primary elements of Norse mythology. The frost drops melted and the water poured into the vast chasm of Ginnungagap, out of which the universe was born. The Norse associated swans with the...
“By Faith and Fortitude” The Shaws were one of the principal branches of the Clan Mackintosh, a branch in turn of the Earls of Fife, and ultimately of the old royal family of Dalriada. The name Mackintosh derives from Mac-an-toiseach (son of the commander). Shaw of Tordarroch Tartan The first chief was Shaw Macduff, second son of Duncan Macduff, Earl of Fife. He accompanied...
“Busy hands are happy hands.” — Grandma Swanstrom (1901-1979) “It is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows.” — Epictetus (c55-c135), Discourses, ii, 17. “If you would be a good reader, read; if a writer, write.” — Epictetus (c55-c135), Discourses, ii, 18. “Never lick a gift horse in the mouth.” — Brian Reedy...
Source: Wikipedia The Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem was one of the three great military orders of knighthood in the Middle Ages. Legendary History According to legendary sources, the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus pre-dates the Crusades. Tradition says that Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea, founded a leper hospital near Cæsarea in 369 CE. In the...