the same Cros-bowes and Hand-gonnes when and as often as yt shall lyke them at theyr lybertye for euer without any damage daungyer penaltye losse or forfaicture to ensué vnto them or any of them for the same But neuerthelels the sayed Servauntes that so shall carry theyr Maysters Cros-bowes or Hand-gonnes shall not by vertue of thys oure Lycence shote yn the sayed Cros-bowes and Hand-gonnes at no manner of Fowle And yâ— case be that any suche Servaunt be takyn shotyng at any Fowle with any Cros-bowe or Hand-gonne the sayed Offender so takyn to forfacte the penaltie according to the Acte thys Fraternitye or Lycense notwithstanding And also that none other then the Fraternytye or Guylde aforesayed shall wythyn any part of thys oure Realme or Domynyon keap any other Bretherhed or Guylde oneles it be by lycence of the foresayed Maysters and Rulers of the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde And furthermore of oure more ample Grace by theys Presentys we do lycence the foresayed Maysters and Rulers and Commynaltye of the sayed Fraternytye or Guilde or any pertyculer parsonne or parsonnes and euery of them to vse and weare any maner ynbrowdery or any cognysaunce of syluer at hys or theyr lybertye in theyr Gownes Jack ttys Cootys and Dublâ—â—tys and any maner of Silkys as Ueluet Satten and Damaske the Colours of Purple and Scarlet oonly excepted yn theyr Gownes and Jackettys and all and synguler Furres yn theyr Gownes or elswhere not aboue Fuâ—res of Martirnes without renuying vnto any maner daungyer forfeyture loss or penaltye Any Acte of Apparell or any other Acte Proclamacyon thyng or matyer yn any wyse had made or gyven or to be had made or gyven to the contrary notwithstondyng And furthermore of our further Grace especyall we haue lycencyd and by theys Presentys doo lycence the foresayed Maysters and Rulers and theyr sayed Successours for the tyme beyng that they nor any of them shall from hensforth be enpanelled or compelled to be vpon any maner of Queste or Jurye upon what matyer soeuer yt be withyn our Cytye of London or other place withyn thys oure Realme And ouerthis we wott and graunte for vs oure Heyres and Successours to the sayed Maysters and Rulers and Commynaltye by thyes Presentys that when and as often as the sayed Maysters and Rulers and Commynaltye and theyr Successours or any of them shall vse pronounce and openly speke thys vsuall worde commonly vsed to be spoken before he or they shote that is to say this worde Faste And after this worde spoken yf yt shall happyn any parson or parsons by the ouersight of any parson or parsons ronnyng passyng or â—oyng betweene any suche shoter and the marke or place whereto any such Maysters and Rulers and Comynaltye or any of them shall hâ—reafter shoote to be kylled or otherwyse hurt so the same be a vsuall and a knowne marke set yn an open place accustomed to be shote at that then any such Mayster Ruler and Brother whatsoâ—ver shall happyn not by that occasion be attached arrested ymprysoned sued vexed troubled or otherwyse ynonpetted nor shall not be ympecheâ— nor otherwyse molessed or troubled for the same nor shall not suffer death nor lose any membre or forfeicte any maner good landys tenementys or herediramentys or any goodys catellys or other proffyttys for the same Any Acte Statute Proclamacyon Prouysyon or any other matyer or thynge yn any wyse had made giuen proclamed or prouyded or hereafter to be had giuen made proclamed or prouyded at any tyme to the contrary notwithstanding And furthermore we wott and graunte that thyes oure Letters Patentys shall passe vnder oure Great Seale wythout Fyne or Fée great or small in oure Chauncery to oure vse or to thuse of oure Heyres or yâ— the hanaper of oure sayed Chauncerye to be contented or payed for the same That expresse mencyon of the true yerely value or of any other value or certentye of the Premysses or of any of them or of any other Guiftes or Grauntes by vs or by any of our Progenitours or Predecessours to the aforesayed Crystofer Antony and Peter or any of them before thyes tymes made in thyes Presents ys not made Or any Statute Acte Ordynaunce Prouysyon or Restraynt thereof to the contrary before thyes times made ordeyned or provyded or any other thynge cause or matter whatsoeuer yn any wyse notwythstanding In wytnes whereof we haue caused thyes oure Letters to be made Patentys Wytnes oure self at Westminster the xxv daye of August the xxix yere of oure Reigne THE PATENT OF King JAMES Concerning ARCHERIE JAMES by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith c. To our trustie and welbeloued the Lord Maior of our Citty of London for the tyme being and to our righte trusty and right welbeloved Councellor Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancellour of England and to our righte trustie and righte welbeloved Cosens and Councellors Thomas Earle of Dorset ouâ— high Treasorer of England Thomas Earle of Suffolk Chamberlaine of our Houshoulde Charles Earle of Devoâ—â—sheir Master of our Ordinance Robert Earse of Salisburie our principall Secretary And to our trustie and welbeloved Councellor Sir John Popham Knight Chéef Justice of the Pleas before vs to be holden assigned And also to our trustie and welbeloved Sir Julius Ceasar Sir Roger Wilbraham Knight Masters of our Courte of Requests Sir Edward Coke Knight our Attorney Generall Sir Thomas Challenor Knight Sir John Egerton the younger Knight Sir Thomas Vavasor Knight Martiall of our Houshould Sir William Waade Knight Lieftenaunt of our Tower of London Sir Thomas Knyvett Sir Stephen Soame Sir Walter Cope Sir Edmond Bowier Sir Thomas Fowler Sir Thomas Lake Sir Henry Mountegue Recorder of London Sir George Coppin Clerk of our Crowne Sir Thomas Windebanke Sir Thomas Middleton Sir Thomas Benneâ—â— Sir Thomas Lowe Sir Thomas Grymes Knights Nicholas Fuller Nicholas Collyn Toby Wood Edward Vaughan Hughe B 〈…〉 Esquiers Thomas Thorney Hughe Middleton John Browne Rowland Smarte William Uxley William Duncombe Nicholas Askew Edward Mellowes Edward Harvest Hughe Goddard Michael Crowne George Walter James Trafforde Francis Moseley Francis Medlicote Henry Addys Nicholas Parks John Redman John Giles Richard Falsham Thomas Wood Michael Sussen Christopher Potkin Richard Huff Roberte Harland Nicholas Gonge Paull Smithe Robert Carr Danyell Godfrey John Skeyff Thomas Gardiner William Robinson Thomas Hughes Randolph Fenton Edward Roberts John Baker John Chambers John Vauasor James Hodgeson Valentine Long John Bendbowe Christopher Thacker Nicholas Plunkett William Hodges John Reignolds William Brownlowe Jerrard Pettam Marke White William Smithe John Tutt George Hastings Christopher Allington William Biggs Henry Ratcliff Roger Aldredg John Granett George Budd James Kenden Christopher Allisone Adam Islipp and John Halloway Gentlemen Gréeting Albeit sundry verie good and laudable Statutes Ordiâ—â—nces Provisions and Proclamations 〈…〉 ofore have béen had and made aswell by vs as by our most noble Progenitors and Predecessors for the mayntenaunce of
of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith c. To our trusty and welbeloved the Lord Maior of the City of London for the time being and to our trusty and right welbeloved Counsellor Thomas Lord Coventry Lord Kéeper of our Great Seale of England Richard Lord Weston Lord high Treasurer of England and to our right trusty and welbeloved Cosen and Counsellor Philip Earle of Pembroke and Mountgomery Lord Chamberlaine of our Houshold and to our right trusty and welbeloved Cosin Edward Earl of Norwich and to our trusty and welbeloved Henry Lord Levington George Lord Goring and to our right trusty and welbeloved Sir Thomas Richardson Chief Justice of the Peace and to our trusty and welbeloved Sir John Coke Knight one of our principal Secretaries of State before vs to be holden and assigned Sir Robert Carr Knight Gentleman of our Bed-chamber Sir Henry Myldmay Knight Master of our Jewels Sir Thomas Alsbury Knight one of our Masters of our Court of Request Sir Robert Rich Knight one of our Masters â—f our Court of Chancery Sir William Bâ—â—ford Knight Liâ—utenant of our Tower of London Sir John Heydon Knight Liâ—utenant General of our Ordnance Edward Littleton Esquire Recorder of our City of London Sir Kenellyne Oysby Sir Thomas Foweler Sir Henry Spiller Sir Percivall Harâ— Sir Henry Hart Sir Leonard Harvy Sir Edward Cane Sir John â—shatt Sir Thomas Jarrat Sir Hugh Haâ—â—â— sley Knights Sir Robert Ducy Knight and Baronet Thomas Moulsow and Samuel Cranâ—er Aldermen of London Thomas Cary Endymeon Porter William Carr George Longe Richard Louder Richard Gibbs John Greene William Williams William Johnson Abraham Davies John Jacobbs George Fowler John Harrison Nathaniel Bacon Bulstrod Whitlocke Andrew Browne Edward Hubbard John Hartwell John Plumber William Wheeler Ralph Wilbraham James Glygorne Thomas Gilborne Samuel Armytage Robert Robinson Esquires Humfrey Edwards John Wheeler Nicholas Askwett Will. Hodges Rowland Wilson George Walker Adam Islip Tho. Naylor John Taylor Roger Hassal Edw. Wormall William Bartlet Jos. Bradshaw John Elston William Kathrens Anthony Blades Nicholas Butler William Parker Hugh Edmonds Jephry Smallman Robert Budd Thomas Bowyn Francis King William Addams Francis Neve John Hallywell Robert Ashwell John Ellds Richard Caucett Tobyas Richardson Kelleway Gooydott Richard Draper John Hodges William Lambe Richard Butler Thomas Hughs Thomas Redding John Powell Peter Wright Thomas Chapman Thomas Chane Thomas Ferris George Low William Williams Alexander Tracye Martyn Grymston John Baker Henry Lee Thomas Backston Edward Taylor Nicholas Tench George Hull John Staney Samuel Baker William Needs John Powell John Jefferson Thomas Cooke Robert West-Brooke James Mason Francis Gray Anthony Lee John Gover Richard Yeame Henry Shelsbery Lanclet Hobson Steaven Estweek Cornelius Cooke William Crofte John Newgate and Andrew Holdsworth Gentlemen Gréeting Albeit sundry good and laudable Statutes Ordinances Provisions and Proclamations heretofore have bin had and made as well by Us as by our most Noble Progenitors and Predecessors for the maintenance of Archerie and Artillery within this our Realme of England whereby the same being put in due Execution in times past hath not only bred and increased a great Force and Strength towards the maintenance defence and safety of this our said Realme against Forraine Enemies in time of Warr and Hostility Yet the same good Statutes Ordinances and Proclamations made by us and our Noble Progenitors cannot now so well be executed as they ought and have done in times past espetially about our Citty of London by reason that divers and sundry persons having about our Citty of London aforesaid divers Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and séeking to inclose the same otherwise then hath bin accustomed to the advancement of their own singuler profit and gaine without respect of others Commodity have pluckt away and yet still doe minde to plucke away from our loving Subjects the necessarie and profitable Exercise of shooting in such Fields and Closes as time out of mind have bin allowed to be shott in as well by making of such Bankes and Hedges as also by plucking up of old Markes of antient times standing in the same Closes Insomuch that our said Subjects being in the common Fields and for diversities and change of Markes séeking to find a Marke in the said Closes and several Grounds cannot sée the ground of the said Closes or Fields within the Bankes and Hedges because they be made of so great height and where the Bankes and Hedges he but of an indifferent height the Ditches be made soe broade and déepe and wanting of Bridges and other convenient places to pass through and over the same that our said Subjects the Archers using the commendable Exercise and Pastime be very much hindred letted and discouraged therein and often times in great danger and perill for lack of convenient roomes and places to shoote in And as we be crediâ—ly informed by reason of the aforesaid Ditchings Hedgings and Inclosures it is very like there will grow a great straight and want of roome about our Citty of London as well for such as do presently use the said Exercise of shooting as also for those that shall be hereafter exercised in the said Game and Pastime to the great hindrance and decay of the said Use and Exercise of Shooting contrary to the purpose and true meaning of the Statutes Ordinances Provisions and Proclamations and contrary to the antient Customes heretofore used about the said Citty of London whereby might ensue to sundry of our said Subjects occation to haunte and frequent some other kind of unlawful Games whereunto they be too much inclined which our meaning is shal be in no wise suffered For the avoiding whereof and for reformation of the foresaid Inormityes and of all such as might hereafter grow by reason of taking away the libertie and stop of antient time accustomed to be had about our said Citty of London for Archers and trusting to your approved Wisdomes Fidelities and good Discretions We have assigned and appointed you to be our Commissioners and by these Presents doe give unto you and to everie or anie six or more of you full power and authority not only to survey all such Grounds next adjoyning to our said Citty of London and the Suburbs of the same as before have bin accustomed and used to have bin Marks in them for Archers to shoot at or in the which anie of our loving Subjects or the Subjects of anie of our Ancestors have exercized themselves in shooting and the same to reduce or cause to be reduced to such order and state for Archers as they were in the beginning of the Raigne of our late King James our Father of blessed memorie but also calling before you or any six or more of you as well the Owner and Owners Farmer and Farmers Occupier and Occupiers of such Grounds about our said Citty of London in the which since the first year of the Raigne of the late King James have bin made broaâ— déepe Ditches
THE Bow-mans Glory OR ARCHERY REVIVED GIVING An Account of the many signal Favours vouchsafed to Archers and Archery by those Renowned Monarchs KING HENRY VIII KING JAMES And KING CHARLES I. As by their several gracious Commissions here recited may appear With a brief Relation of the Manner of the Archers marching on several days of Solemnity Published by WILLIAM WOOD Marshal to the Regiment of Archers London Printed by S. R. and are to be Sold by Edward Gough at Cow-Cross 1682. To the most POTENT MONARCH CHARLES II. KING OF England Scotland France and Ireland c. May it please your Majesty THE Credit and Esteem that ARCHE hath always had amongst your Royal Ancestors makes me presume to Dedicate to your Majesty this little Treatise which was almost lost in the Ruins of Time as well as the Subject Matter of it I must confess indeed that this Art or Exercise holds not the same Rank and Place in Military Discipline that it did before the Invention of Guns but yet to assign it none at all were 〈◊〉 reflect upon the Prudence and Consideration of those Laws that have since that Time been made for its Encouragement And methinks that the many Victories which our Kingdom famous for their Bows owes to that sort of Arms may at least recommend the Exercise to us though it be but in Sport and Triumph Besides we are sure the Labour will not be wholly lost if there were no Pleasure in it it being it may be one of the most wholsom and manly Recreations us'd in this Nation and Conduces as much or more than other both to the Preservation of Health and the Improvement of Strength But I fear I am unmannerly your Majesty knows better than any body else both the Usefulness and Pleasure of the Bow and we were unjust to distrust your Countenancing it Long may we live under the Government of so good a Prince and may this and all other worthy Exercises fit and qualifie your Majesties Subjects to Defend your Crown and Dignity This is the Prayer of Your Majesties most Humble and Dutiful Subject and Servant William Wood. To the Honourable Sir John Ernley Knight one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council and one of the Lords Commissioners of his Majesties Treasury Sir Edward Hungerford Knight of the Bath Sir Gilbert Talbot Knight and Sir Joseph Williamson Knight FOR me that am so Unlearned and Ignorant to speak of the Antiquity and Worth of Archery were a great weakness for I find it to be almost as old as Adam For in Holy Writ Gen. 21. 20. it is said That God was with Ishmael and he became an Archer And for the fierceness of the Bow and Arrow Gods Vengeance is sometime in Scripture compared to it But to come nearer home and to speak of one or two of those great Victories that have been obtained against the Enemies of England by Archers As for Instance first the Battel of Cressy in France in the Reign of Edward the Third where he himself in Person with the Black Prince his Son with an Army of Ten thousand Archers overthrew and vanquished his Enemy Philip King of France and his Army consisting of near One hundred thousand Men in which Battel were Thirty thousand slain See the Story more at large in Baker's Chronicle pag. 124 and 125. But this is not all the harm that Archery hath done to our Enemies nor honour it hath won to our selves for in the Year 1415. in the Reign of Henry the Fifth there was at Agincourt in the Territories of France such a Victory obtained over the French by the help of the Archers that can scarce if ever be parallel'd in any History where a considerable Number of Archers under the Command of Sir William Orpington who with an Ambush of no more than Two hundred Archers gave the first Onset which take in Sir Rich. Baker's own words Causing the Bow-men to let fly their Arrows which so gawled the French Horse that either they cast their Riders or through their unruliness so opened their Ranks that the right Wing of the English Horse had way to come in upon the French Foot The English Army being in Number not above Nine thousand and the French six times nay some say ten times as many in Number The Number of the French slain was above Ten thousand whereof One hundred twenty six were of the Nobility bearing Banners of Knights and Gentlemen Seven thousand eight hundred seventy four and of Common Souldiers about One thousand six hundred with a very small damage to the English as may be seen at large pag. 175. in Sir Richard Baker It were endless to recount what great Battels have been obtained by the help of the Archers and what high Esteem the Turks have of it to this day I 'le refer you to Travellers and Historians more particularly to that Ingenious Book of Sir Paul Rycaut in his History of the Turks and 't is much to be lamented that those Weapons by which our Ancestors gain'd so much Renown should now be almost totally laid aside save only by your Honours and those Gentlemen that use it for their Health and Recreation But we hope this drawing forth may be a means to increase and add to the Number of those that love Archery which is the hearty Desire and Prayer of Gentlemen Your most humble and obedient Servant William Wood. In Praise of Archery BRave Archery what Rapture shall I raise In giving thee thy merit and due praise Divine thou art as from the Gods begot Apollo with an Arrow Python Shot And Cupid the fair Venus son we know Is always figur'd with his Shafts and Bow The chast Diana with her Nymphs in chase Will with no other Arms their shoulders grace A mighty Bow the great Alcides drew When he to save his Bride the Centaur slew It is the powerful Hand of Heaven that bends The all-colour'd Rainbow that so far extends Before the Tormentary art was found The jarring string did make the dreadfull'st sound And that invulner'd Greek unscar'd by steel Was shot and slain by Paris in the heel The naked Indian doth no Armor lack His Bow being bent and Quiver at his back And the wild Tartar doth no danger fear His Arrow nocht String drawn to his Ear. The Parthian in this practise hath such skill That when he flies he can Shoot back kill For us what forraign Chronicles but sing Our Honours purchast by the Gray-goose wing Brave Cordelion with feathered Band Beat the proud Sultan from the Holy-land And what an Honour did the Black Prince gain When He with English Archers conquered Spain So Ancient so Divine so Nobly fam'd Yet for the Bodie 's health there 's nothing nam'd It is an Exercise by proof we see Whose practice doth with nature best agree Obstructions of the Liver it prevents Stretching the Nerves and Arteries gives extents To the Spleens oppilations clears the Brest And spungy Lungs It is a Foe
profest To all Consumptions More what need I name The State approves it for a Lawfull game What won our Honour is now made our Sport Witness Poicteirs Cressy and Agincourt THE PATENT OF King HENRY VIII Concerning ARCHERIE HENRY the Eight by the Grace of God King of England and of France Defendour of the Fayth Lorde of Irelond and in Erthe Supreme Hede of the Churche of Englond To all Judges Justyces Mayres Sheryffys Baylyffys Counstables and other our Offycers Mynysters and Subgyettys aswell wythyn the Lybertyes as wythout thyes oure Letters herying or seyng Gretyng We let yowe wyte That of our Grace especyall certeyn scyence and mere mocyon We have graunted and licencyd and by thyes Presentys doo graunte and licence for vs and our Heyres asmoche as yn vs ys vnto our trusty and welbeloued Servauntys and Subgyettys Sir Crystofer Morres Knyght Mayster of oure Ordenauncys Anthony Knevett and Peter Mewtes Gentlemen of oure prevy Chambre Overséers of the Fraternytye or Guylde of Saynt George And that they and every of them shal be Ouerséers of the Scyence of Artyllary that ys to wyt for Long-bowes Cros-bowes and Hand-gonnes c. which Syr Crystofer Morres Cornelys Johnson Anthony Antony and Henry Johnson that they and euery of them shal be Maysters and Rulers of the saved Scyence of Artyllary as afore ys rehercyd for Long-bowes Cros-bowes Hand-gonnes which Syr Crystofer Cornelys Anthony and Henry we by thyes Presentys do ordeign make and conferme foure Maysters and Rulers of the sayed Fellyshyp of Artyllery for euer â—uryng theyr lyves And that the sayed Maysters and Rulers and theyr Successours Maysters and Rulers alwayes â—eyng foure of oure Seruauntes Englysâ—hemen or Denysens maye begyn founde edefye make ordeygn gadre kâ—ytte and establysshe a certeyn perpetuall Fraternytye of Saynt George and that they maye haue full power and auctorytye to chose accept take and admytte vnto theyr sayed Fraternytye or Guylde Alâ—aner honeste parsonnes whatsoeuer they be aswell beyng oure Servaintys and Subâ—iettys as Straungyers Denysens or not Denysens at theyr lybertyes And that the sayed Maysters and Rulers and suche Brethern as they shall electe admytte take and accepte to them shall yn thyng and name be oon bodye and Commynaltye Corporate havyng successyon perpetually by the name of Maysters and Rulers and Commynaltye of the Fraternitye or Guylde of Artyllary of Long-bowes Cros-bowes Hand-gonnes And thesame four Maysters Rulers and Brethern and theyr Successours we yncorporate and make oon Bodye by theys Presentys And that the sayed Maysters and Rulers and Commynaltye and theyr Successours shall ymplede and be ympleded by the name of Maysters and Rulers of the sayed Bretherhed or Guyide And also shall haue power and auctorytye to chose and elect among themselfys wyth theyr assystence foure vndre Maysters and Rulers of the same Fraternytye or Guylde to ouersée and governe the same Fraternytye from tyme to tyme and to have the governaunce and custodye of such Landes Tenementys Reutys Possessions Goodys and Catallys as hereafter shall happen to be purchased betwethed gyven graunted or assygned by any maner parson or parsons to sayed Fraternytye or Guylde And they euery yere as yt shall best pleas them shall mowe ordeygne and chose successyvely foure undre Maysters and Rulers Englysshmen Straungyers Denysens or not Denysens of good name and fame And they or any of them yf nede requyre to amove put out and discharge and an other yn hys or theyr namâ— and place as ofte as shall pleas them to name put yâ— electe and auctoryse by the counsayll of the four Maysters and Rulers and theyr sayed Assystence And furthermore That the same Maysters and Rulers maye haue and use a Common â—eale for all thynges and necessaryes â—elongyng to the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde And that they may be of babylitye or capacitye yâ— the Law to ymplede or be ympleded aâ—â—swer and be aunswered before any Judge or Justice spyrytuall or temporall whatsoeuer they be yâ— any Court or Courtes of thys our Realm And yn all and syngular Accyons Demaundes Duarreâ—â—ys â—lâ—â—s Sutes reall or personall lyke as all other oure Lygemen haue habylytye and capacytye And furthermore the sayed Maysters and Rulers and Commynaltye of the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde amongyâ— themselfys shall or may haue full auctorytye and power to make ordeygne and establyâ—she Lawes Ordynauncys and Statutys for the good state rule and governaunce of the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde for thencrease and good contynuance of the same and suche Lawes Statutys and Ordenaunces so made from tyme to tyme as ofte as by them shal be thought necessary and conuenient to chaunce and to transpose or keap at theyr pleasure And to put yn vse and execution wythoute hurte challenge greve or perturbaunce of us oure Heyres or Successours Offycers Mynisters or Subgiettys or theyr Heyres or Successours whatsoeuer they he And furthermore That the sayed Mayster and Rulers and theyr Successours for the tyme beyng hâ—ue full power and auctorytye to purchase Landys Tenementys and other Hereditaments whatsoeuer they be which be not holdyn of us in Capite To haue and to hold to the sayed Maysters Rulers and Commynaltye and theyr Successours the Statute of Mortmayn or other Statute or Statutys or any other thyng passed to the contrary notwithstandyng And furthermore of oure habundaunce Grace we haue graunted given and lycencyd and by thyse Presentys do gyve graunte and lycence vnto our foresayed welbeloued Servauntys and to euery of them and to all and euery theyr Successours Maysters Rulers Commynaltye and Brethern of the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde that for the tyme shal be aswell beyng oure Servauntys and Subgyettys as also Straungyers beyng Denysens or not Denysens beyng of and yn the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde for the better yncrease of the defense of thys oure Realme and mayntenaunce of the Dcyence or Feate of Shotyng yn Long-bowes Cros-bowes and Hand-gonnes that they and euery of theyr Successours honest parsonnes of the sayed Fraternytye or Guylde for theyr dysporte and pastyme from tyme to tyme for euer hereafter and perpepetually may use and exercise the shotyng yn their Long-bowes Cros-bowes and Hand-gonnes at Almaner Markys and Buttys and at the Game of the Popyniaye and other Game or Games as at Fowle and Fowles aswell yn oure Citye of London the Suburbes of the same as in all other places wheresoeuer yt be wythyn thys oure Realme of England Ireland Calyce and our Marches of Wayles and ellyswhere wythyn any of our Domynyons oure Forestys Chacys and Parks without oure specyall Warrant and the Game of the Heyron and Feysaunt withyn two myles of any of oure Manners Castellys or other placys where we shall fortune to be or lye for the tyme onely excepted and reservyd And also that the sayed Maysters and Rulers and Brethern and their Successours and euery particuler parsonne of them may reteigne and keap theyr sayed Long-bowes Cros-bowes and Hand-gonnes yn theyr Houses Chambres and other places and theyr Servauntys to here
high Banks and Quick-sets or Hedges thereupon being thought by you or any six or more of you to be overthrowne and made plaine or otherwise to be reformed And alsoe such and as manie lawfull and honest men of our said Citty of London and County of Middlesex or either of them whose dispositions knowledge and experience in the Premisses or anie part thereof you shall think good to understand and know and them and everie of them to examine as well upon their Oathes as otherwise touching the Premisses as to the Wisdomes of you or 〈◊〉 every or anie six or more of you shall be thought more convenient And upon the knowledge of the Defaults and Annayances in the Premisses or aâ—ie part thereof Our pleasure is and we do give unto you or anie six or more of you full power and authoritie by these Presents to cause the same by the said Owner Farmer or Farmers or any Occupiers at their own proper Costs and Charges to be amended reformed altered and changed in such manner and form and within such time as to the wisdomes and discretions of you or any six or more of you shall be thought méete and convenient Whom our Pleasure and Commandment is that whatsoever shall be in and about the Premisses done and executed by you or any six or more of you by vertue and authoritie of this our Commission you cause firmly to be observed Authorizing you or any six or more of you further by these Presents that all such persons being Owner or Owners Farmer or Farmers Occupier or Occupiers of the said Grounds or any of them as you or any six or more of you shall find negligent gainsaying rebelling resisting or anie meane or anie way withstanding against you or any six or more of you in the due execution thereof or not obeying your Orders or Decrées in the Premisses to be had or made by vertue of theise Prsents that you or anie six or more of you cause him or them offending to be punished as by your said Wisdomes shall be thought requisite until he or they shall conforme themselves to your order in the Premisses And for the better execution of this our Commission and Authoritie by you given We charge and command all Maiors Sheriffs Justices of the Peace Bayliffs Constables and all other our Officers Ministers and Subjects to be aiding helping and assisting to you and every one of you in the due execution thereof as they will answere the contrary In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our self at Westminster the 20th day of December in the Eighth yeare of our Raigne A REMEMBRANCE Of the worthy SHOW and SHOOTING BY THE DUKE of SHOREDITCH AND HIS ASSOCIATES THE Worshipful Citizens of London UPON Tuesday the 17th of September 1583. Set forth according to the Truth thereof to the everlasting Honour of the Game of Shooting in the Long Bow By W. M. London Printed in the Year 1682. To the Worthy SHOREDITCH DUKE And his Two NEPHEWS Sons to the EARL of PANCRIDGE AND To all the Worshipful Citizens and Chief Archers of the City of London W. H. wisheth continuance of Health with Increase of Honour BOldly have I presumed Right Worshipful Members of this Ho nourable City to publish unto the Eyes of the World your late laudable Work which not only beautified this City but the whole Realm of England Rare was the Sight great was the Cost yet greater your good Wills the Report whereof will be in memory while London lasteth Now seeing no man taketh in hand to describe the same as it deserved and pitying greatly it should lye hidden I considered that blind Bayard oft times seemeth boldest and thereupon my self though least able of all other have presumed under your Correction to publish the Truth of what I noted in the Train Therein purposing that though to your own Ears it bringeth no matter of Delight yet the Truth of this seemly Show which Fame hath far spread abroad may through this Realm be expressed as also left in Remembrance unto your Childrens Children and their Posterity after them Beseeching therefore that your Wisedomes would accept my good Will for which I remain thankful during my Life Your Worships In all Humility W. M. A REMEMBRANCE Of the Worthy SHOW and SHOOTING BY THE DUKE of SHOREDITCH AND HIS ASSOCIATES THE Worshipful Citizens of London THE Learned in time past have greatly commended the penning of Histories because that by them their Posterity is certifyed what hath been done in the days of their Ancestors the benefit whereof is greatly considered in the wisest of this Age and I would it were unknown to none Our Elders heretofore that have registred the great Battels and Skirmishes in times past mention that the Long-Bow hath done great acts and been the overthrow of mighty Armies Wherefore considering what profit and honour our Commonwealth of England hath gained by the Long-Bow I have thought convenient to set down in Memory that most honourable Show of Archers which was at London on the Seventeenth of September 1583. chiefly for two Causes First To exhort our Country men to continue at home this laudable Exercise the better to discourage our Enemies when they haply hear thereof that by so notable a thing shewed but in a Merriment may the better conjecture what English men could do if necessity compelled them to the same Secondly To follow the Custome of our Ancestors which is to leave Enrolled such Matter as is worthy Memory that so good a Work might seem new in such our Successors and procure them to the furtherance of the like Causes in themselves The Prince of famous Memory King Henry the Eighth having red in the Chronicles of England and seen in his own time how armies mixed with good Archers have evermore so galled the Enemy that it hath been great cause of the Victory he being one day at Mile-end when Prince Arthur and his Knights were there shooting did greatly commend the Game and allowed thereof lauding them to their Encouragement This noble King at another time keeping a Princely Court at Windsor caused sundry Matches to be made concerning shooting in the Long-Bow and to which came many principal Archers who being in Game and the upshoot given as all men thought there was one Barlo yet remaining to shoot being one of the Kingâ— Guard to whom the King very graciously said Win them all and thou shalt be Duke over all Archers This Barlo drew his Bow and shooting won the best Whereat the King greatly rejoiced commending him for his good Archery and for that this Barlo did dwell in Shoreditch the King named him Duke of Shoreditch A sign of a Princly mind to the encouragement of his poor subject The memory of all which both by Prince Arthur and the Duke of Shoreditch hath been greatly revived and within these five years set forward at the great Cost and Charges of sundry chief Citizens whose Names I omit And
Archery and Artillery within this our Realme of England whereby the same being put in due execution in tymes past hathe not onlie bredd and encreased a greate force and strength towards the mayntenaunce defence and safety of this our said Realme against Forein Powers but also a feare and terror to all other Realms and Forein Enemies in tymes of Warr and Hostility Yet the same good Statutes Ordynances and Proclamations made by vs and our said noble Progenitors cannot nowe so well take place as they ought and haue done in tymes past and specially about our Citty of London by reason that diuerse and sundry persons having about our said Citty of London diuerse Landes Tenements and Hereditaments and saeking to enclose the same otherwise then hathe bine accustomed to the advancement of their owne singuler benefitts and gaine without respect of others Commoditie haue pluckt away and yet still do mind to pluck away from our lovinge Subiects the necessarie and proffitable Exercise of shooting in such Feilds and â—loses as tyme out of mynde haue bine allowed to be shott in aswell by making of such Bankes and Hedges as also by plucking up of the oulde Marks of ancyent tyme standing in the said Closes Insomuch that our said Subiects being in the common Feilds and for diuersities and change of Markes séeking to finde a Marke in the said Closes and seuerall Grounds cannot by reason for the most parte the Banckes and Hedges beinge made of such a height sae the Grounds of the said Closes or Feilds within the said Banckes As also by reason that where the Bancke or Hedge beinge but of indifferent height the Ditches be made so broad and déep and wanting Bridges and other convenient Places to passe through and over the same that our said Subiects the Archers vsing their Trade and Pastime be very much hindâ—eâ— lett and discoraged therein and often tymes in great perill and danger for laâ—ke of convenient roomes and places to â—hoote in And as we are â—redibly informed by reason of the aforesaid Ditching Heâ—ging and Enclosures it ys verie like there will grow a verie greate straight and want of roome about our said Citty of London aswell for such as doe presently vse the said game of shooting as also for those that shall hereafter exercise vse or occupie the said Game and Pastime to the greate hiâ—drance and decay aswell of the said vse and exercise of shooting as also of the said Statutes Ordynances Prouisions and Proclamations and contrarie to the ancyent Customes heretofore vsed about our said Citty of London whereby might ensue to sundrie of our said Subiects occasion to haunt and frequent some other kynde of vnlawfull Games wherevnto there are to many inclined which our meanynge ys shal be in no wise suffered For avoydinge whereof and for reformation of the foresaid inormityes and of all such other as might hereafter growe by reason of takinge away of the libertie and scope of ancyent tyme accustomed to be had about our said Citty of London for Archers And trusting to your approved Wisdomes Fidelityes and good Discrecions We haue assigned and appointed you to be our Commissioners and by theis Presents doe giue vnto you and everie of you and to the number of any sixe of you full power and authoritie not onlie to survey all such Groundes next adjoyning to out said Citty of London and the Suburbs of the same and within twoe miles compasse on any parte of our said Citty and Subuâ—bes as before haue bine accustomed and vsed to haue had Markes in them for Archers to shoot at or which any of our lovinge S 〈…〉 iects or of our Auncestors haue exercised themselves in shooting and the same to reduce or cause to be reduced to such order and estate for Archers as they were in the beginnyng of the Raigne of the late Kinge of famous memorie Kinge Henry the Eight but also calling before you or any six of you as well the Owner and Owners Fermor and Fermors and Occupiers of such Grounds about our Citty of London In which since the first yeare of the Raigne of the said Kinge Henry the Eight haue bine made any broad déep Ditches hight Banckes and Quicksets or Hedges thereupon beinge thought by you or any sixe of you to be overthrown and made plain or otherwise to be reformed And also such and as many honest and lawfull men of our said Citty of London or Countie of Middlesex or either of them whose disposition knowledge and experience in the Premisses or any part thereof you shall thinke good to vnderstand and know And you and every of you to examine aswell upon their Oathes as otherwyse touching the Premisses as to the Wisdomes of you or any sixe of you shall be thought most convenient And upon the knowledge of the defalts and annoyances in the Premisses or any parte thereof Oure pleasure ys and We give vnto you or any sixe of you full power and aucthority by theis Presents to cause the same to be by the said Owner and Owners Fermor and Fermors or any Occupiers at their own proper Cosâ—es and Charges to be amended reformed altred and exchanged in such maner and forme and within such tyme as to the Wisedomes and Discretions of you or any sixe of you shall be thought méete and convenyend whome our pleasure and commandement ys that whatsoever shal be in and about the Premisses dâ—â—n and executed by you or any sixe of you by vertue and aucthority of this our Commission you cause the same firmely to be observed Aucthorising you or any sixe of you further by theis Presents That all such person or persons being Owner or Owners Fermor or Fermors Occupier or Occupiers of the said Grounds or any of them as you or any sixe of you shall finde negligent gayâ—saying rebelling resisting or any mean or way in any wise notwithstanding against you or any sixe of you in the due execution thereof or not oueying your Orders or Decrées in the Premisses to be had or made by vertue of theis Presents That you or any sixe of you cause him or them offending to be punished or â—ayned by Imprisonment or otherwise by Fine and Amercement to our vse as by your said Wisdomes shal be thought requiâ—te vntill he or thâ—y shall conforme him or themselves to your Order in the Premisses And for the better execution of this ouâ— said Commission and Aucthority to you given We charge and command all Maâ—ors Shâ—riffs Justices of Pâ—aâ—â— Bayliffs stables and all other our Officers Ministers and Subiects to be ayâ—ing helping and assisting you and everiâ— of you in the due execution thereof as they will aunswere to the contrarie In witnes whereof we haue caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witnes our self at Westminster the firste Daie of February in the thirde yeare of our â—aigne of England Fraunce and Ireland and of Scotland the nine and thirtieth THE PATENT OF King CHARLES I. Concerning ARCHERIE CHARLES by the Grace