The boy's own toy-maker: by Landells E

Author:Landells, E. [from old catalog]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Toys, Amusements, Paper work
Publisher: New York, D. Appleton & company
Published: 1860-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

AECHEET.

One of the most ancient and universal of all weapons is the bow; it is frequently alluded to in Holy Writ, and it is very remarkable that the shape of the modern bow is very nearly the same as we find it represented upon the early Egyptian sculptures. That of the Greeks and Eomans was also similar in shape, but a little more orna-

merited. The early Saxon specimens and those of nearly every other nation appear to have been of the same form.

By this simple but powerful weapon empires were anciently subverted, and England gained much of her fame by it. In the time of Edward III. the glory of the long-bow may be said to have been at its zenith, and that monarch appears to have been very anxious that its lustre should remain untarnished. It was during this king's reign the famous battles of Oressy and Poictiers were fought; the former on the 26th of August, 1346, and the latter on the 19th of September, 1356. Another signal victory, ascribed to the skill of the English archers, was at the battle of Agincourt; this was under Henry V. in the year 1415.

It is said that James I. of Scotland, during his confinement in England, was so struck with the spirit and gallantry of the English archers, that on return-ing to his own country, he established the Koyal Company of Edinburgh Bowmen. The society still exists, and is the Queen's Body Guard in Scotland at the present time.

The Honourable Artillery Company of London owes its origin to a society of archers in the time and under the patronage of Henry VIII. They first held their meetings at Spitalfields; but when the " fields "

ARCHERY.

91

were broken up for bricks and buildings, the Artillery Company removed to Bunhill Fields, which they still retain under the original title of the New Artillery Ground.

In 1682, there was a great cavalcade and grand entertainment given by the archers of Finsbury. Charles II. was present on the occasion, but the day being rainy he was soon obliged to leave the field. So late as 1753 targets were erected in Finsbury Fields during the Easter and Whitsun holidays, when the best shooter was styled captain for the ensuing year, and the second, lieutenant.

The Cross-Bow Was also a popular weapon in England ; the arrows

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.