Part III

at Man- chefter, during Cromwell's adminiftration, fome of the gentry caufed him to be carried upon men's fhoulders, crying " A Ki ng, a Kin g !" Great numbers of republicans being prefent, were alarmed, and cried out as eagerly, " Treafon, treafon ! A " plot, a plot !" He died in January 1675. : AKiCDOTES OF ARCHERY. 6[ 1 N the year 1 67 5 , three hund red and fifty Archers, mod richly habited, appeared in MoorfielJs to com- pliment Sir Rc'BERT V'iner, then Lord Mayor From thence they marched through Moorgate, Cripplegate, and through Woodilreet into Cheap- fide ; then they paffed by the north-fide of St. Paul's, and marched round into Cheapfide again, and fo to Guildhall ; where they waited to re- ceive the King, and the then Lord Mayor. When the king had viewed and paffed by the Archers, they marciied to Chrifl- church, where a very noble dinner was given, iat tiie expence of the Lord Mayor. Their flandard was guarded by fix crofs-bow men ; all the officers wore green fcarfs, and every bowman a green ribbon. The principal officers were Sir Robert PeyT0N,Kiight, and Mr. Michael Arnold. On the 26th of May following, the Archers rendezvoufcd in the military ground near Bloomf- bury, and marched from thence through part of Holborn, Chancery- Lane, Temple-Bar, and the Strand, to White- hall, being fix abreafl: ; yet," when the van reached Whitehall, the rear was not paffed through Temple- Bar. From White- hall they paffed to Tothill- Fields; here they drew up and were reviewed by the King, who marciied along their front feveral times. He was attended by the Dukes of York and Monmouth, and moft of the nobility. The Archers were in num- F : 62 ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. ber about a thoufand ; tlie fpeftators near twenty times that number. During the courfe of the day feveral fhowers of wliiflling arrows were difcharged ', with which the company were exceedingly entertained. Catherine of Portugal, (Queen to Charles II.) feems to have been much pleafed with the fight of this exercife : For in 1676, by the contributions of Sir Edward Hun- ger ford and others, a filver badge for the Marfhal of the fraternity was made, weighing twenty- five ounces, and reprefenting an Archer drawing the long-bow, with the following infcrip- tion Regin/e Catherin^-e Sagittarii. The fupporters were two bow-men, with the arms ef England and Portugal. On the 14th of July, 1681, the London Archers, to the number of one thoufand, under the com- mand of Mr. Edwards and Mr. Henry War- ren, marched to Hampton-Court, to flioot for Two feveral pieces of plate, viz. filver cups and three dozen cf filver fpoons. The target was placed upon a butt ereded on purpofe upon the * Thefe arrows are fuppofed to have been ufed by the picquet guards, to give notice to the camp of the enemy's approach duri.ng the night. ANECDOTES OF ARCHERV. 63 lawn before the palace. The King was pleafed to honour them with his prefence on tlie occafion ; -- flaid near two hours, aud permitted as many cf the Archers as pleafed to kifs his hand A mark of the pleafure he took in viewing their cxerclfc. On Friday, April 21, i6S,i:, the Archers under the command of Sir Edward HuNCJiRFOCu, Colonel M. Arnold, Lieutenant Colonel J. Mould, Majou H. Warren, LiiiuTENANT E. D.iNNE, G. V/alkkr, and J. Manley, Captains, met in the artillery ground and marched through Cornhil!, Fieetilreet, and the Strand, to Tothill- Fields. The King and mod of the nobility honoured them with their company. There were at leafl one thoufand Archers in the field. The recreation lafted for fnmctimp, daring which tliree ftiowers of whiilling arrows were difcharged. The company, the Archers, and the exercife taken altogether, it was fuppofed, exceeded any thing of the kind tha: had hitherto been feen in Enp-Jand. In Scotland little lefs attention, though appa- rently not with equal fuccefs, was paid to the encouragement of this art. In both kingdoms it was provided" that the importers of merchandifs fhonld be obliged, along with their articles of commerce, to import a certain proportion of bou s, F2 04 ANECDOTES OF AIICHERY. bcvv-flaves, and Ihafcs for arrows. In both zvQtf perfoa was enjoined to hold liimfdf provided IP. bows and arrows : and was prefcribed the frequent xSi of Archery. In botli a reftraint was in^pofed upon the exercire of other games and iports, lefl they fnould interfere with the ufe of the bow ; for it was intended that people fhould be made expert in the ufe of it as a military weapon, by habituating them to the familiar e.xercifs of it as an inibumeut of amufement. As there was no material diiFerence between the aftivlty and bodily ftrength of the two people, it might be fuppofed that the Eng'ifh and Scots wielded the bow with an equal vigour and dex- terity : But from undoubted hiilorical monuments it appears, that the former had the fuperiority. The Engllfh (hot with a very long bow. Thofe who were arrived at their full growth and maturity, being prohibited from Ihooting at any mark that was not diftant upwards of two hundred and twenty yards. In the ufe of the bow great dexterity, as well as ftrength, feems to have been requifite. Though we htar of arrows at Cheviot Chafe which were a yard long ; yet it is by no means to be fuppofed, that the whole band made ufe of fuch, or could draw them to the head. The regulation of the Statute of Edward IV. viz. " That the bow fiiall not exceed the height " of a man," is allowed by Archers to have been ; ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. 65 Well confidered ; and as the arrow fnould be half the lengih of the bow, this would give an arrow of a yard iu length to thofe only who were fix A feet high. Ihong man of this fize in the pre- fent times, cannot cafily draw above twenty- feven inches, if the bow is of a proper flrengtii to do execution at a confiderable diftance. At the fame time it niuil be admitted, that as our anceilors were obliged by fome of the old llatutes, to begin ihooting with the long-bow at tlie age of fcven, they might have acquired a greater flight in this cxercife than their dcfcendants. Not many years ago, there was a man named Top HAM, who exhited furprifing feats of ilrcngth, and who happened to be at a public houfe near Iflington, to which the Finlhury Archers reforted after their exercife. Top ham confidered the long-bow as a play-tliing, only fit for a child upon which one of the Archers laid him a bowl of punch that he could not draw the arrow two thirds of its length. Top ham accepted the pro- pofal with the greatell confidence ; but bringing the arrow to his breaft inftead of his ear, he was greatly mortified by paying the wager, afcer many fruitlefs efforts. As to the diftance to which an arrow can be /hot from a long bow, with the befr elevation of forty.five degrees, that muft necellarily depend � 66 ANECDOTES OF AUCHLRT. much both upon the flrengtli and flight of the /\tcher; but in general the dillance was reckoned irom eleven to tvvclre fcore yards*. According to Nead, an Archer might fhoot fix arrows in the time of charging and difcharging one mufquet. Arrows are reckoned by fheaves ; a flieaf confifliiig of twenty-four arrows *. They were carried in a quiver, called alfo an arroav-caje, which ferved for the magazine. Arrows for immediate ufe were carried in the girdle. In ancient times phials of quicklime, or other combuflible matter for burning houfes or (liips was fixed on the heads of arrov/3, and fliot from long-bows. Arrows with wild-fire, and arrows for fire-works, are mentioned among the ftorea at Newhaven and Berwick, ill of Edward VT. To proteft our Archers from the attacks of the enemy's horfe, they carried long flakes pointed at both ends : Thefe they planted in the earth,. Hoping before them. In the firfl; of Edward VI. three hundred and thirty of thefe flakes were in the flores of the town of Berwick ; there were alfo at the fame time eight bundles of Archers' flakes in Pontefrad Caftle. * By the 33d of Henry VITI. no one aged twenty-four^ was to flioot at any mark under eleven fcore yard5��f Grose on ancient armour�. . AN'ECDOrrS OF AUCHERY. 6/ The following dercription of an Archer and his accoutrements is given in a MS. written ia Qu the time of E E E :; L I z A B E T H " Captains and ofHcers flioidd be fkilful of that " mod noble weapon ; and to fee that their fol- *' diers, according to their draught and ftrength, " have good bows, well nocked, well flringed, *' everie firing v/hippc ia their nocUe, and" in -- *' the myddes rubbed with wax, brafer and -- �' fnutting glove, fome fpare ftrynges trymcd *' as aforefaid ; every man one flieaf of arrows, �' with a cafe of leather, defenfibie again ft the " rayne, and in the fame fower and twentie ar�� rows ; whereof eight of them fiiou'd be lighter �' than the refidue, to gall or aiioyne the enemy ** with the hail-fliot of light arrows, before they *' rtiall come within the danger of their harquebufs ** Ihot. Let every man luve a brigandine or a ** little cote of plate, a (kull or hufkin, a mau'e *' of lead, of five feet in length, and a pike, *' and the fame hanging by his girdle, with a. " hook and a dagger ; being thus furniflied, teach �' them by muflers to march, (hoote, and retire, ** keeping their faces upon the enemy's. Sumtimc ** put them into great numbers, as to battell ap�' parteyneth, and there ufe them often times " praftifed till they be perfeft ; for thofe men ia " battell ne fkirmifh cannot be fpared. None " other weapon mays compare with the fanvj ^ noble weapon." 68 ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. The ancient records of the Royal Company of Archers in Scotland, having been deftroyed. by fire, about the beginning of the prefent century, no authentic traces of their inftitution now remains. It is faid, that they owe their origin to the Commiflioners appointed in the reign of James J. of Scotland, for enforcing and overfeeing the exercife of Archery in different coun- ties. Thefe CommifTioners, who were in genera! men of rank and power, picking out amongfl the better fort of people, under their cognizance, the moll: expert Archers, formed them into a com- pany, and upon perilous occafions made a prefent of their fervices to the king as his chief body guards. In which fituation they often diflin- guifhedthemfelves for their loyalty, their courage, and fkill in Archery. This rank of the King's principal body-guards, the Royal Company fliil claim within feven miles of the metropolis of Scotland. The Company at prefent confiils of about one thoufand in number ; among whom are moft of the A ScottiQi nobility of the firft diftinftion. number of thefe gentlemen meet weekly during the fum- mer feafon in Edinburgh, and exercife themfelves in the Meadows, fhooting at butts or rovers. In the adjoining ground they have a handfome building, eredled within thefe twelve years, with. fultable offices, whither they adjourn ftfter their ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. 69 exerclfc, and where they hold their elefuon?, and other meetings relative to the buCnefs of the Society. The prizes belonging to this company, and A which are annually Ihot for, are ; 1 ft. Silver Arrow, given by the town of Muflelburgh, which appears to have been (hot for as early as the year 1603. The vi(5lor in this, as in other prizes, ex- cept the King's prize, has the cuftody of it for a year, and then returns it with a medal appended, on which are engraved any motto and device which A the gainer's fancy didlatcs. 2d. Silver Arrovv^ given by the town of Peebles, A. D. 1626. A 3d. Silver Arrow, given by the city of Edin- burgh, A D. 1709. 4th. A Silver Punch liovvl, of the value of .ibout fifty pounds, made of Scot- tifli filver, at the expence of the Company, A. D. 1730. fth. A Piece of Plate, value twenty pounds, called the King's rn^-v, j,-. 1627. i nis prize oecon-ics luc aDiDluie property of the winner. All thefe prizes arc flv:t for at what is termed re-vcrs ; the marks being placed at the diftance of one hundred and eighty- five yards. Befides thcfe there is another prize annually contended for at butt, or point-blank dlilance, called the Goo/e. The ancient manner of fhooting for this prize was,-- a living goofe being built in a -- yo ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. turf-butt, with his head only expofed to view; the Archer who firft hit the goofe's head was entitled to the gcofe as his reward. But this cuilom, on account of its barbarity, has been long ago laid afule ; and in place of the goofe's head, a mark of about an inch diameter, ia affixed upon each bctt ; and the Archer who firft hits this mark is captain of the buu-fiiooters for a. year. The affairs of the Company are managed by a Prefes and fix Councellors, who are choien annually by the whole members. The Council are vefied '.vith the power of receiving or rejefting candidates for aduiiffion, and of appointing the Company's officers civil and military. The uniform of the Royal Company of Archers is ta/tapi lined wita whire^ and trlmmpd wirh .r-7 "^''"^ ^""S� ; a white faOi with green Crcfs and feathers. The Company have two f^andards ; The firft of thefe bears on one fide Mars and Cupid encircled in a wreath of thirties, \vith this motto, " in peace and war." On the other a eugh tree, with two men dreiTed and equipped as Archers, encircled as the former motto, " DAT GLORIA VIRES," The other flandard difplays on one fide a lion rampant, gules, on a field cr, encircled with a ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. yi -- wreath; on the top a thillle and crown, motto, *' NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET." On the other, St. Andrew on the crofs, on a field argent ; -- at the top a crown, -motto, ** dulce pro PATRIA PERICULUM." Roger Ascham, who wrote a treatife on this art in the year 154+, mentions the bracer or leathern guard worn by Archers upon the left arm, to prevent it from being cut by the firing of the bow. But he recommends fhooting without any bracer, as its ufe may be fuperfeded by giving the bow a greater bend ; that is about nine inches. The (hooting glove was like the bracer, the fame as at prefent. The bow-ftring was made either of filk or hemp. The bow he recommends to be made out of the bole of a eugh tree, and its ftrength fuch that the Archercould with moderate exertion draw an ar- row to the head. The arrow was made of oak or birch, and was of diiFerent fizes, according to the different purpofes it was intended for ; its length generally from twenty-feven to thirty-two inches ; the longefl were ufed in war. He recommends a goofe's feather for the fhaft, as better than any other. The head of the arrow diiFered very much from the modern ones. Thofe 2 *^1 ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. ufecl in fliooting at the marks fomewhat rcfembling a pine apple, i"mooth at top, but furrowed longi- tudinally. For war they ufed fliarp heads without any barb. The arrow was always drawn to the ear when they fliot at fhort marks. At long marks or ro- vers, it was then neceflary on account of the elevation, to be drawn to the breaft. The Archers did not fhut either eye when they took aim ; nor did they look at the arrow, but at the mark only. BOW- MAKERS. During the laft century, the Kelsals of Mancheller were the beft bow and arrow makers in England ; that family is now excinil. The art is revived by Josei-h Wrigle v and Co. of Cheet- ham near Alanchefter ; who excel all others in the choice of wood, and accuracy of workmanfhip. Bows and arrows are alfo made and fold by Samuel t)TANWAY near Northwichin Cheftiire. There is alfo a manufatflory for implements of Archery eilablifhed by Mr. Waring at Lei- ccller Koufe. In ancient times when the demand for thcfe articles was univerfal, the bufiiiefa was divided ir.to - ANF.CDOTES OF ARCHERY. 73 feparate branches ; from whence arof^ the follow ingSirnames, viz. Bow ver. Bovver, St ringer, Arrowsmith, Fletcher, Sec. LANCASHIRE and CHESHIRE ARCHERS. These counties have long been celebrated fof their numerous and fkilful Archers. About the year 1648, three brothers, John, Roger, and Daniel Rawson, became particularly famous in that fcience : James the fon of John is now (1792) living at Cheetham-Hill near Manchefler, aged 76: From the age of eighteen to fixty he never refufed a challenge; nor ever lofl a match. Jn the above counties are many focieties of bowmen : Few market towns in Lancafhire but have one or two fets of butts placed at the feveral diflances of 30, 60, 010, and J 20 yards. The Lancafhire bowmen hold their meetings at Cheetham-Hill every Wednesday, from Lady-day to Michaelmas, at three in the afternoon. There is alfo a party, who fhoot there every Monday, Wednef- day, and Friday, if the weather proves favour- able. Miss BouvRE, near Warrington, is efleemed the beft Archerefs in the county. In fupport of the ancient fame of Lancafliire bowmen, LeLAND, in his Co!leiia)!ca, hath the foHowing line, Lancashere faire Archere. G 74 ANECDOTES OF ARCKERY. S GORTON ARCHERS Began to Ihoot for a Silver Arrow at Scorton near Richmond, in Yorkfhire, May 14., 1673, and have continued ever fince. ARTICLES J(ryeed upm hy the Society of Archers at Scorton, May 14, 1673, for the regulating cf the annual exerdje of Jhcoiing at the Targets for a Silver Jrro-xu, I. IMPRIMIS. That every perfon intend- ing to ftiootat this, or other yearly game, for the future, Hiall depofite ard pay into the hands of the Captain and Lieutenant of the Archers (or offome others deputed and appointed by them Stewards to the Company of Archers for that year, tlie fum of five {hillings, or what other fura Ihall from time to time be concluded and agreed upon by the major part of the Archers ; the fame to be done fome convenient time before the general day of meeting to ihoot at the faid targets, whereof notice to be publicly given, to the end, that^ Plate, and fuch other prizes as are hereafter mentioned, may be had and provided in due time. II. ITEM. Upon the day appointed for the faid exercife, all perfons concerned fnall repair to the place for the faid purpofe (to be appointed by the Captain of the Archers for that prefent year. ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. 75 which place fhall always be within {:x miles of Eriholine upon Tees, in the county of York, unlcfs othervvifs refolved and agreed upon by the greater nurr.bcr of the Society of Archers prei'cnt at the fliooting down of the faid targets) by eight of the clock in the morning ; when and where a note in writing {hall bs taken of tlicfe intending to fhoot, (the Captain and Lieutenant excepted) and lots or figures of their numbers fhall be drawn by feme indiirerent perfon ; according to which figures they are to obferve their feveral courfes and orders in Ihooting for that time ; and if any come after the lots are drawn, they lliall take their places, and Ihoot after the hit figurs and according to their coming. III. ITEM. Two targets fhall be then and there ready provided by the Captain and Lieutenant, (who hereby are and (hall be exempted and freed from depofuing any fum or fums of money, fo long as either of them fhall continue in their refpeftive ofiices) with four circles aptly diIlinguiflied with colours ; whereof the innermoft circle being gilded or yellow, fliallbe for the Captain's prize ; and the next to that fhall be for the Lieutenant's prize ; and the third and fourth, or outermofl circumferences, fliall be for fu:h fpoons or other prizes of a greater and leffer value, according to the monies depofued, as they fhall be ordered and proportioned by the Captain and G2 ^b ANECDOTES OF ARCHERV. Lieutenant, and three of the Company of Archers Lh >n 2i)d there nrtfer.t. The IV. ITEM. faid targets fliall be fet in fome open and plain field, upon two ftraw bails or iriats, breafl-high from the ground, each being dlilant from the other at leall eight fcore yards, at which diilance three rounds Hull be ihot by all the Company, with what manner of ihaft (not .exceeding two fhafts) every one pleafeth. The Captain and Lieutenant beginning iirft, and then the refl two and two, in order, according to their feveral lots and rmmbers, till the faid rounds be fhot out at the iirll ftand ; after which they Ihall lemove in ten yards, and there fhoot other three rounds in manner aforefaid ; and then remove in ten yards more, and flioot three rounds there ; and fo forwards from ftand to ftand, or one removal to anotlier tiJ! all the prizes be gotten or ftiot down provided ; that their faid approach to the targets be never nearer than ftxty yards, at which diftance they muft ftand to flioot them out, if not won before. V. ITEiVr. Such perfon as in his due order and place fhall firft pierce or break the Captain's Prize, or any parts thereof with his arrow, (that is to fay) fo as his arrow or any part thereof ftiall be within the circle dividing betv.'cen red and gold, Ihall have the filver arrow from the reft, aod ftialt ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. 77 be efieemed and adjudged Captain of the Archers, and (hall have and enjoy all privileges due and belonging to that office, during the year enfuing; and further fliall have twenty fliillings of fuch monies as ihall be depofited by the Company of Archers at their next annual meeting for Oiooting at the targets J when he lliall and muft bring in the faid filver arrow, to be fnot for in manner and form aforefaid. The fame to be done and per- formed yearly about Whitfuntide, to and by all the ' fucceflive Captains. Alfo he that in like manner pierceth the Lieutenant's Prize or Circle, fhall have fuch prize or piece of plate as fluili be allotted and appointed by the Captain and Lieutenant for that time. Likewife he that firll pierceth either of the other circumferences fliall have one fpoon (or fuch other prize as (hall be appointed for the fame circle as aforefaid) for e\ery arrow wherewith he fhall pierce or break them, in cafe all the prizes belonging to them be not gotten before. Alfo he that pierceth any of the inner circles in manner aforefaid, whereout the prize or prizes were won before, fliall have one of the bell: prizes remaining in the circle, next to that which he fliall fo hit, provided that the fpoons and fuch other prizes as fliall be defigned for the faid two outermoil circles fliall be of two feveral rates and values ; and the better of them fliall be allotted and appointed for the circle and circumference next to the Lieutenant's. G^ 78 ANECDOTES OF ARCHERY. VI. ITEM. If any of the Company fhall prefame to fhoot at the targets out of his due turn of /landing, he fhal! loofe his fhot for that round (or having fhot before) in the next round following : And if any be abfent from the ftand to fhoot in his turn according to his figure, then the next figure there prefent fhall fhoot on, that no time may be lofl, and fhall have fuch prize 35, Le fliall then win. Neverthelefs fuch abfent figure may, at his coming to the place of flanding, have liberty to fhoot during that round, if the Captain fo pleafe and appoint, either at the time of his coming, or at the end of the fame round, provided that he come before the beginning of the next round. VII. ITEM. Forasmuch as the Exercife of Archery is lawful, laudable, heahhful, and in- nocent; and to the end that God's holy name may not be dilhonoured by any of that Society, it is agreed and hereby declared, that if any one of them fliall that day curfe or fwear in the hearing of any of the company, and the fame be proved before the Captain and Lieutenant, he fhall forthwith pay down one (hilling, and fo proportionably for every oath; to be dillributed by the Captaia to the ufe of the poor of that place or townfhip where they fhoot. And in cafe of