William the Conqueror was a skilful archer, and the battle of Hastings was decided by the bow, and we hear that Harold was shot with an arrow. Although the Anglo-Saxons and Danes were well acquainted with the bow from the earliest period, it appears to have been only employed for obtaining food, or for pastime, and we are perhaps indebted to the Norman Conquest for its introduction as a military weapon. The Normans at the battle of Hastings are said to have used the arbalest or cross-bow as well as the long bow. Ever after this, the bow became a favourite weapon. During the reign of Henry II., archery was much cultivated, and great numbers of bowmen were constantly brought into the field; and to encourage its practice, a law was passed, which freed from the charge of murder any one who in practising with arrows or darts, should kill a person standing near. This appears to be the first regulation to be found in our annals, and was probably founded on the old law of Rome. The English conquests in Ireland during the reign of Henry II. were principally owing to the use of the long bow in battle, which the Irish wanted. The Invasion of Ireland was headed by Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, surnamed “Strong-bow.” His force was numerically very small, consisting chiefly of archers, and it is stated that such was the advantage their superior arms and military skill gave the invaders, that 10 knights and 70 archers defeated a body of 3000 Irish opposed to them, on their landing near Waterford. ~A. D. 1199.~ The exact time when shooting with the long-bow began in England is unsettled, our chroniclers do not mention archery till the death of Richard I. During the reign of Henry III. there were among the English infantry, slingers, archers, and cross-bow men. ~Cressy 1346.~ ~Poictiers 1356.~ It seems that the long-bow was at its zenith in the reign of Edward III., who appears to have taken great pains to increase its efficacy, and to extend its use. The terrible execution effected by the English archers at Cressy, and at Poictiers ten years after, was occasioned by British archers. ~Homelden 1403.~ The decisive victory over the Scots at Homelden was entirely achieved by them, and the Earl of Douglas found the English arrows were so swift and strong, that no armour could repel them; though his own was of the most perfect temper, he was wounded in five places. The English men-at-arms, knights and squires, never drew sword or couched lance, the whole affair being decided by the archers. ~Shrewsbury 1403.~ ~Agincourt 1415.~ They again did terrible execution at the battle of Shrewsbury, in 1403, where Hotspur was slain, and the battle of Agincourt was their undivided conquest. ~20,000 bow-men 1455.~ ~Bow preferred to fire-arms.~ ~Bows at Isle of Ré, 1627.~ ~Bows against Scots, 1644 to 1647.~ ~Bows in William 3rd’s time.~