The practice of eating swans dates back to the medieval era. At that time, they were considered a delicacy and were often served at royal banquets. However, by the 16th century, the taste for swan meat had begun to decline. By the 19th century, it was no longer common to eat swans in Europe.
There are a number of reasons why we stopped eating swans. One reason is that they became less available as their populations declined. Another reason is that they came to be seen as more of a symbol of royalty and elegance, and less as an animal fit for consumption. Finally, changing attitudes towards animal welfare meant that people became increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of eating such a beautiful creature.