The Field Book: or, Sports and pastimes of the United Kingdom: compiled from the best authorities, ancient and modernMaxwell, W. H. (William Hamilton)
History
The Field Book: or, Sports and pastimes of the United Kingdom: compiled from the best authorities, ancient and modern
Maxwell, W. H. (William Hamilton)
Amusements -- Great Britain; Sports -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Great Britain
annihilation of the family to whom they are attached, have now subsided,
and they are now reinstated in all their former consequence. In 1788 the
annual prize was revived and shot for, in the presence of a numerous
body of spectators. We may here observe, that the three principal bodies
of archers in England and Scotland, are now incorporated in one; by the
union of the Woodmen of Arden, the Toxopholites, and the Royal Society
of Archers. The prizes, which properly belong to the latter, and which
are annually shot for, are, first, a silver arrow, which was presented
by the town of Musselburgh, which seems to have been shot for as far
back as the year 1603. Whoever gains this may take charge of it for a
year; at the expiration of which period it is returned with any device
that his imagination may suggest. Second, a silver arrow, which, in A.
D. 1626, was granted by the town of Peebles. Third, a silver arrow,
given by the town of Edinburgh, A. D. 1709. Fourth, a silver punch-bowl,
about the value of fifty pounds, made at the expense of the company of
Scotch silversmiths. Fifth, the king’s prize, which is the entire
property of the winner. These prizes are shot for at what is called
rovers: the marks are placed at the distance of one hundred and
eighty-five yards. The uniform of the Royal Company of Archers is
tartan, lined with white, and trimmed with green and white fringes; a
white sash with green tassels, and a blue bonnet with St. Andrew’s
feather and cross. They have also two standards; on one of which is
inscribed, “Nemo me impune lacessit;” on the other, “Dulce pro patria
periculum.”—_Ascham_—_Strutt_—_Ency. Lon._
ARCUBALISTER, _s. obs._ A cross-bow man.
ARM, _s._ The limb which reaches from the hand to the shoulder; the
large bough of a tree; an inlet of water from the sea; in
sporting parlance, that portion of the horse’s fore-leg
comprised between the shoulder and the knee.
AROMATIC, _a._ Spicy; fragrant, strong-scented.
AROMATICS, _s._ Spices; stimulants, as cinnamon, cloves, &c.
ARQUEBUSE, _s. obs._ A hand gun.
ARRACK, _s._ A spirituous liquor.
ARROW, _s._ The pointed weapon which is shot from a bow.
“There are three essential parts in the composition of the arrow,” says
Ascham, “the stele or wand, the feathers, and the head. The stele was
not always made with the same species of wood, but varied as occasion
required, to suit the different manners of shooting practised by the
archers;” he commends sound ash for military arrows, and preferred it to
asp, which in his day was generally used for arrows belonging to the
army; but for pastime, he thought that none were better than those made
of oak, hardbeam, or birch; “but after all,” says he, “in this point I
hold it best to trust to the recommendation of an honest fletcher.” The
feathers from the wing of a goose, and especially of a grey goose, he
thought were preferable to any others for the pluming of an arrow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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