Georgian Archery
With Hugh Soar.
There is an increasing tendency to call the archery developments of the 1800’s ‘Victorian’, – an all-embracing term covering the century in its entirety and one denied only by the pedant, since Victoria’s reign saw most of the more significant archery events and developments.
It is tempting therefore to dismiss previctorian (19th C) activity as a mere entrée to the main event; a disservice which calls for correction, and for proper observation of the many and varied facets of archery activity which took place during the reigns of the four kings George: that period from 1714 to 1820 which we archery nerds are justified in calling Georgian. Although we may trespass a little into the 19th C, as we follow the Georges, we will concentrate upon events within the preceding hundred years, including a look at the Georgian longbow.
During the previous century, and following the restitution of the monarchy, archery had flourished. The accession of Charles II to the throne in 1660 and his continued personal interest in the activity, honed during his exile in the Low Countries, caught the attention of numerous sycophants who sought his attention for the purpose of personal advancement and who took up the bow in droves.
Some were perhaps members of the Society of Finsbury Archers, formed some time prior to 1636, a group which has earned a special
place in the annals of archery history. Not only was it a national leader in ‘social’ archery but, in 1671 its two stewards produced a coloured target to be shot at from eleven score (220) yards – a most demanding test of skill, and one which instantly caught the imagination – particularly of those who customarily used that distance at butts. This target was shot annually for 81 years, until in 1752 the Society was disbanded; and was a precursor of the target faces we know today.
An important event in the Society’s life was the creation of the ‘Braganza Shield.’ Catherine of Braganza was wife to king Charles II who did not treat her well. As a Portuguese Catholic in a Protestant country she was disliked by many for her continuing to practice her religion. However, not all were opposed to her, and they included important members of the Finsbury Archers. Catherine was known to practice archery, and what more natural - or so it might seem - than recognising this by recording their loyalty.
So it was that in 1676 three important gentlemen members: Sir Edward Hungerford, Sir Gilbert Talbott and Sir Joseph Williamson, together with others, gave a sum of money to purchase a silver Badge in her honour to be borne by the Marshal of the Regiment (sic) Sir William Wood, whenever the Society paraded publicly.
The Breast Plate Badge was duly bought; and this was engraved with the figure of an archer drawing a longbow, supported by two bowmen and surmounted by the Arms of England and Portugal. It bore the motto ‘Reginae Catherina Sagittary’ (Queen Catherine’s Archers),
By describing themselves as her archers, the Society evidently hoped for the Queen’s endorsement, However, approval was not forthcoming; why is not known, but the king may not have approved of her association with what could be seen as a Catholic body-guard. Despite this rebuff, the Badge was certainly worn at one Meeting at which both king and queen were present, and remained a treasured possession of the Society until its end, being passed from Marshall to Marshall until 1736, when the Society went into abeyance.
The Badge or ‘Shield’ as it is now known, is now held by the Royal Toxophilite Society. It is curious that the intention to create such an identifiable object may have been done without the knowledge of the queen and her tacit approval but we shall never know the full story.
A less organised company of bowmen which regularly shot the arks on Finsbury Fields also existed. Although seemingly not formally a Society, but active since at least 1570, they were evidently a recognised group, and possessed and observed a number of rules which were regularly up-dated. Over the years hand-books compiled by leading shooters, containing these rules and listing each mark with its distance to the next, gave a recommended safe way to progress.
Additionally, in keeping with their Royal sixteenth century founding principle, the archery element within the Honourable Artillery Company continued its activity, adding to an already substantial archery presence in and around the city of London.
With the death of Charles II in 1686, those archers whose interests were insular dropped out, and the sport declined in popularity. Although a respectable total of thirty-seven archery clubs are recorded for the Georgian period, all but four, each northern, were formed during the final twenty years. Where southern interest was centred around London and Hertfordshire, northern archery was concentrated in Yorkshire. Wharfedale Archers of Uttley (1737) Darlington Archers, and Richmond Archers (1755) and Aycliffe Archers (1758) ; whilst at Scorton the Company of Archers - formed in 1673 continued through thick and thin to hold their annual gathering. Wales was represented by the Royal British Bowmen.
In 1673, a group of fourteen archers from Yorkshire and Durham decided to form an annual archery meeting to shoot for an 'Antient Silver Arrow', acquired for them by a member, Henry Calverley.
The origin of this object has occupied the detective powers of many an historically-minded toxophile across the years, since there is no official account of its origin. However in one speculation there is a close association between it and the local Scorton family of Wastell, involving the scandalous behaviour of the arrow’s owner, a family member, who was subsequently disinherited. Calverley knew of this, asked for the arrow and it was handed
over.
Whatever the origins of the arrow, it was acquired by Calverley on condition that he did not reveal from whence it came. He kept his word, and all that is known for certain is that he obtained it. Turning briefly to the Rules of the Scorton, these have been shown to closely follow the sequence, and in some cases even the wording, of those of the London Finsbury Society, suggesting a close connection, and support from the senior Club.
Did this support go even further? In 1670, the Finsbury Archers were gifted two silver arrows by Stewards, Sir Reginald Forster, Knight and Baronet, and Warwick Ledgingham; but in 1672 it was reported that one was missing. Could there be some connection here with Henry Calverley ? We may assume that he was involved with his Society’s shooting rules – and their close resemblance to those of the Finsbury Archers. But was Finsbury also the origin of the arrow?
Let us probe a little deeper. Sir Henry Calverley of Eryholme, Yorks was a lawyer by profession. Grays Inn in 1658, Middle Temple in 1659, and called to the Bar in 1664. He was thus of similar social standing as Ledgingham and Forster and perhaps even a member of the Finsbury Society. Could it be that through them he gained the missing arrow? We shall never know, and it is yet another strand added to a 350 year old mystery.
Over the border, the Antient Society of Kilwinning Archers (1485, allegedly) and The Royal Company of Archers (1676) kept the flag aloft. This latter Company soon acquired the privilege of providing the Sovereign's ceremonial guard of honour when in Scotland.
The eighteenth century brought with it a particular challenge to the Royal, or Sovereign's, Company of Archers. Granted their title by Queen Anne, last of the Stuart succession, their allegiance was tested when in 1714 George 1st, of the German House of Brunswick was crowned king.
"THE ORIGIN OF [THE SCORTON ARROW] HAS OCCUPIED THE DETECTIVE POWERS OF MANY AN HISTORICALLY-MINDED TOXOPHILE ACROSS THE YEARS."
Many of the Company were unhappy with the occasion, having Stuart loyalties as well, and knowing that Charles Edward Stuart was actively pursuing his claim to the throne.
Matters came to a head when in 1715 the Jacobite sympather, Earl of Mar raised a large army and marched South to engage in battle, where at Sheriffmuir, although numerically superior, he was defeated by a smaller English force – thus ending his rebellion. Curiously perhaps there is no mention of the event in the Company's records, and it seems not to have been concerned or even interested.
Things were to come to a head however in 1745, when Prince Charles, 'Pretender' to the throne, made his own bid for power – and this time matters were different. Although nominally loyal to the English king, many of the members supported the prince and, conscious that a large Highland army with pibrochs droning and drums beating, with Charles at its head, was making its way south. In contrast to the earlier attempt in 1715, they publicly joined the cause, and it is said that when Charles reached Edinburgh Castle, there at the door to welcome him was a senior Royal Company officer with sword drawn in his honour.
Predictably this expression of disloyalty did not sit at all well with King George, and for some years the Royal Company was regarded with considerable suspicion by both king and government. As time passed however, and with young Charles also defeated, the status quo resumed, and Royal Company bows were once more employed in recreation.