~Disadvantages of the long-bow.~ Although arrows could be shot from a bow with far greater rapidity and precision than balls from a musket, yet in damp weather the bow and string might become so much relaxed that the efficacy of the instrument became much impaired. A side wind deflected the arrow exceedingly in its flight, and even against a moderate wind, it was difficult to shoot at all. _Our Forefathers encouraged to acquire skill in archery by legal enactments, and by the founders of our public schools._ 1ST. BY LEGAL ENACTMENTS. ~Henry 2nd from 1154 to 1189.~ We have previously stated that the first law encouraging the practice of archery was passed in the reign of Henry II. ~Richard 2nd from 1377 to 1399.~ An Act of Parliament was passed in the reign of Richard II., to compel all servants to shoot on Sundays and holidays. ~Edward 4th from 1461 to 1483.~ ~Every man to have a bow.~ In the reign of Edward IV., an act was passed, ordaining every Englishman to have a bow of his own height, and during the same reign butts were ordered to be put up in every township for the inhabitants to shoot at on feast days, and if any neglected, the penalty of one halfpenny was incurred. The same monarch also passed an act, that bows were to be sold for 5s. 4d. ~Cross-bows prohibited by Henry 7th & Henry 8th.~ Henry VII. prohibited the use of the cross-bow, and Henry VIII., less than twenty years after, renewed the prohibition. He forbad the use of cross-bows and hand guns, and passed a statute which inflicted a fine of £10 for keeping a cross-bow in the house. Every man, being the King’s subject, was obliged to exercise himself in shooting with the long bow, and also to keep a bow with arrows continually in his house. Fathers and guardians were also commanded to teach their male children the use of the long bow. ~Encouraged by Philip and Mary.~ A statute of Philip and Mary mentions the quantity and kind of armour and weapons, to be kept by persons of different estates, viz:--“Temporal persons having £5 and under £10 per annum, one coat of plate furnished, one black bill or halbert, one long bow, one sheaf of arrows, and one steel cap or skull.” ~Prices fixed by Elizabeth.~ An act of Elizabeth, fixed the prices for long bows, at 6s. 8d., 3s. 4d., and a third sort at 2s. each bow. ~Encouraged by monarchs from Henry 8th to Charles 1st.~ ~Proclamation by Charles 1st.~