The New Murrey and Blue blog

“….More species of whale, dolphin and porpoise can be spotted in the UK than anywhere else in northern Europe and all of them, technically, belong to the Monarch….” 

I knew about whales, sturgeon and the Thames swans, but hadn’t realised that since the time of Edward II dolphins and porpoises have also been royal property. I suspect there is other similar legislation of which I’m equally ignorant. If you go to this link Curious Questions: Why do all of Britain’s dolphins and whales belong to the King? – Country Life you can read all about this peculiar law and how it applies to different parts of the British Isles.

Thames swans belong to the monarch, and you can read about the annual “swan-upping” tradition here https://www.royal.uk/swans. This event is important for conservation and protection, but sometimes it isn’t the swans in need of this conservation and protection, it’s humans! Having once been attacked by a full-grown swan when I was eight, I will not go near one even today. They are terrifying! It happened to be a German swan, but nasty hissing and threateningly outspread wings are the same in any language. I got the message, loud and clear.

Should you wish to know how dolphins were eaten in times gone by, try this informative link Forgotten Foods #10: Porpoise | British Food: A History (britishfoodhistory.com). Not to my taste, I fear. Battered cod, hake or haddock (with chips) is about my limit when it comes to things that inhabit water.

Another article that includes a dolphin can be found here Medieval Betchworth. Betchworth’s Royal Dolphin (dorkingmuseum.org.uk). It pre-dates Edward II and concerns the French Dauphin (dauphin means dolphin) who once stayed in the Surrey village.

There is more about these “royal” creatures at these links: https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/12/22/royal-swans/ here https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/queen-owns-uks-dolphins-whales-16915922 and here Royal fish – Wikipedia.

Could I eat dolphin or porpoise? Um….no. Definitely not! Nor could I eat kangaroo, horse, snakes, frogs, snails or small birds. Or any raw meat. The thought of steak tartare fair turns me over, as does sushi, smoked salmon, and any uncooked ham. I’m a stick-in-the-mud old Brit who clings to the unadventurous traditional dishes, and I’d definitely be the despair of a top French restaurant with however many rosettes.