The black swan was an original Roman joke by Juvenal who described it as a rara avis. The first time it appeared as an inn sign was in the 16th century. This perhaps referred the proprietor’s opinion of himself as a rare bird. The Black Swan is the oldest pub in York, with history over six hundred years. There are two resident indwells here. One is a young woman wearing a long, white dress, blonde hair and staring into the fireplace. She , reports claim, as glowing with colour. The second is a male Victorian artisan wearing an old-fashioned bowler hat. He stands in the bar, as though waiting for someone. Abruptly, he turns around and disappears.