Bohun swan
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The Bohun swan, also known as the Bucks Swan, was a heraldic badge used originally in England by the mediaeval noble family of de Bohun, Earls of Hereford, and Earls of Essex.
Counter seal of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford (1276–1322), attached to the Barons' Letter, 1301, showing the Bohun swan above the escutcheon and supporting the guige strap
Bohun swans collared and chained with necks entwined at feet of effigy of Margaret de Bohun (1311–1391), daughter of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford (1276–1322) and wife of Hugh de Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Devon (1303–1377). On her chest tomb in south transept, Exeter Cathedral, heavily restored 19th century
The Dunstable Swan Jewel, circa 1400, British Museum. Possibly given to his supporters by the future King Henry V, who was Prince of Wales from 1399
Arms of Peter Courtenay (d.1492), Bishop of Exeter and Bishop of Winchester: Or, 3 torteaux a label of 3 points azure each point charged with 3 plates in pale with supporters the Bohun swans, each collared with a crown and chained or. Detail from the Courtenay Mantlepiece, Bishop's Palace, Exeter
Knight of the Swan
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The story of the Knight of the Swan, or Swan Knight, is a medieval tale about a mysterious rescuer who comes in a swan-drawn boat to defend a damsel, his only condition being that he must never be ask
Bohun swan
…the mediaeval noble family of de Bohun, Earls of Hereford, and Earls of Essex. The widespread use of the swan as a badge derives from the legend of the Swan Knight, today most familiar from Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin. The Crusade cycle, a group of Old French chansons de geste, had associated the legend with…
A tapestry of 1482 showing episodes from the Knight of the Swan story: At the bottom puppies are substituted for babies.
Lohengrin postcard around 1900 by unknown artist