The History of the Royal Company of Archers

440 Pages·2017·9.83 MB·English

Plate £.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH AND O.UEENSBERRY,
K.G., ETC.
CAPTAIN-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL COMPANY OK ARCHERS,
AND GOLD STICK OF SCOTLAND.
IN THE MESS UNIFORM OF THE COMPANY.
From the Portrait in Archers Hall, t,v Sir Francis Grout, P. ft..-1.
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JAMES BALFOUR PAUL
ADVOCATE OF THK SCOTTISH BAH
ONE OF THF. MEMBF.HS OF THE ROYAL COMPANY

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WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
MDCCCLXXV
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1'K.NTKl BY Hll.i,I»M HI.UhV.tKil) ASh miXs
PREFACE.
At an interval of nearly a hundred and fifty years since it was
first talked of, the history of The Royal Company of Archers has
been written,—with what success it is for the members of the
Company, and those of the general public who may take any
interest in the matter, to judge. The work, which has several
times been taken in hand, but never till now completed, is simply
a compilation from the minutes of meetings and other records,
which have been kept with wonderful regularity since its embodi
ment in 1676 ; these have been condensed as much as possible,
a few remarks thrown in as connecting links, and some notes
on the general history of Archery in Scotland inserted in the
first chapter.
The Royal Company may well be proud of the position which
it at present holds. Few societies can boast of so long and so
honourable an existence. It possesses authentic records covering
a space of two centuries, and there is much reason to believe
that the period of its original organisation extends considerably
beyond the date of its first records. And it is yet far from
sinking into the dotage of a too long extended life ; on the
IV PREFACE.
contrary, it not only exists with unimpaired vigour and undimin
ished prestige, but with an increasing number of members, and a
more and more widely-spread popularity. May it long continue
to keep up its reputation both for skill in archery, and for un
tarnished loyalty to that Sovereign Lady whose Body-Guard it
has the honour to be !
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Claims of the Royal Company to have its history recorded—Early notices of the
bow in Scripture—Egyptian bows—Homer's description of a bow—Ancient
mode of shooting—Papingo competition described by Homer—The bow in
Britain—Honourable Artillery Company—Progress of archery in England—
Works upon archery—Roger Ascham,etc.—Archery in Scotland—Early Acts
ofParliament on the subject—Discouragement offootballandgolf—The Scot
tish Archer-Guard of France—Its mythical origin—Description ofthe body—
Gradual decline—Scots Acts from James II. to JamesV.—"Christ's Kirk on
the Green"—Decline ofarchery in Scotland as a military art—Queen Mary an
archer—Ladies'archeryclubs—Archers in the Royal Scots Regiment in 1699—
Old burgh arrows in Scotland—Institution ofthe Royal Company in 1676, . I
CHAPTER II.
First embodiment of Scottish Archers—Existence of an Archers' Company pre
vious to 1676—Early records of the Royal Company—Regulations for their
government—Application to the Privy Council—Appointment of bowmaker—
Captain-GeneraltheMarquessofAtholl—Uniform—Paradeof4th June 1677—
Competitions previous to 1676—Tarbat elected Lieutenant-General—Blank in
the history of the Company from 1679-1703—Probable existence of the Com
pany during that period—Tarbat appointed Captain-General—Shooting at the
goose—New chartergranted tothe CompanybyQueen Anne—Letterofthanks
to the Captain-General, . . . . . . . .18
CHAPTER III.
Continued prosperity of the Company—Prize of Edinburgh Arrow instituted—
Letter from the Earl of Cromarty—Public march—Butts at the Parliament
House—Another letter from the Captain-General—Rule anent shooting—Uni
form fixed upon—Chaplain appointed—Colours presented by officers—Grand
VI CONTENTS.
march to Leith, 1714—Arrangements with bowmakers—Death of the Captain-
General—Appointment of the Earl ofWemyss—Another march—The Royal
Company attend the theatre—Expense ofa last-century dinner—Death of the
Earl ofWemyss—His son the first winner of the silver punch-bowl—Duke of
Hamilton and Brandon appointed Captain-General—Allan Ramsay—Mussel
burgh Arrow—Public march to shoot for Edinburgh Arrow—Yews procured
from Loch Lomond—Historyof the Company proposed to be written, 1728—
New colours got, and grand march—The Governor of Damascus—March and
court-martial ofofficers—David Beatt—Freebairn's French poem, . . 45
CHAPTER IV.
Death ofDavid Drummond, President ofthe Council—Poem in memory ofhim—
Other verses in connection with him—Parade of Royal Company and ball—
Death of the Duke of Hamilton, and appointment of the Earl ofWemyss as
Captain-General—Royal Archers in the '45—Lockhart of Carnwath—Expul
sion of Murrayof Broughton—Various prizes presented by private members
—Dr Nathaniel Spens—Silver bowl enlarged—Maitland's History of Edin
burgh—Death of Lord Wemyss, and appointment ofthe Duke ofQueensberry
as Captain-General—George Neilson—Angelo Tremomondo—Dr Carlyle—
Archers' Hall built—Theatre patronised by the Royal Company—St Clairof
Roslin—Indian long-bow—Ballot forentry introduced—Death ofthe Captain-
General, and appointment ofthe Duke of Buccleuch—Stamping bows—Good
shooting—Reindeer horns presented—Peebles Arrow—Distinguished intrants
—Councillors' medals presented—Diploma from the Toxopholite Society, and
answer from the Royal Company—"Two strings to your bow," . . 75
CHAPTER V.
Proposed history of the Company by Hugo Arnot and Alexander Brown—King's
Prize instituted—Diploma to and from the Woodmen ofArden—Entry-money
raised—Uniformchanged—DrSpens'portrait—Ludicrousduel—RiotsinEdin
burgh—Declaration of loyalty—"Pagoda" medals—Incidents of shooting—
Wonderful shot ofthe Turkish Ambassador's Secretary at London—SirJames
Pringle's portrait—Bugle-horn—Dinner-meetings altered—Mungo Park—
Position and strength ofthe Company in 1805—Earl Moira—Dr Spens elected
President ofthe Council—Captain-General the Duke of Buccleuch succeeded
by his son—Another alteration in the uniform—Snuff-boxes given as prizes—
Challenge by the bachelors of the Company—Lord Elibank elected President
ofthe Council—Address to the Prince Regent—Selkirk Arrow—North Amer
ican Indians at Archers' Hall—Their mode of shooting—Performances at the
theatre, .......... 106
CHAPTER VI.
Notes ofshooting—Earl of Hopetoun elected Captain-General—Earl ofDalhousie
made President of the Council—Dinner to Dr Duncan—The King's visit to
Scotland, 1822—Royal Company appointed Body-guard to his Majesty—Ar

rangements for performing the duties—Alteration of uniform—Entry of
CONTENTS. Vll
George IV. into Edinburgh—Performing the "Reddendo" by presentation of
barbed arrows to the King—Levee at Holyrood—Address to the King—Pro
cession from Holyrood to the Castle—Letter to the Captain General—The
Archers attend the embarkation of his Majesty at Hopetoun—Portrait of the
Earl of Hopetoun—The Hopetoun royal commemoration vase presented by
the Captain-General—Excursion to Selkirk and Peebles—A "bottomless
riddle"—Death of Lord Hopetoun—The Royal Company offer to attend his
funeral—Duke ofMontrose appointed Captain-General—Dinner in his honour
nearly interfered with by great fire in Edinburgh—Bust of the King presented
by the Captain-General—Court-dress of the Company—Presentation of gold
stick by the King—Qualification ofmembership altered, . . . 139
CHAPTER VII.
Dinner arrangements—Disturbance among the members, 1829—Member expelled
—Question as to powers of Council—Memorial to counsel on the subject, and
answers thereto—Two members of Council challenged—End of dispute—
Report of committee on uniform—Remarks on the report—Earlytartan dress
—Letter from Oliphant of Gask'—Border-green cloth adopted—Dispute with
the tacksman ofthe Meadows—Death ofGeorge IV., and proclamation ofhis
successor—Presentation of official staffs by William IV.—Resignation of the
Captain-General—Earl of Dalhousie elected to the vacant office—Royal Com
pany put on the same footing as the Life-Guards as regards gold and
silver sticks—Claim of Kilwinning Archers to guard the King in the west of
Scotland—Disposal of the claims—Alteration of court-dress—Duke of Buc-
cleuch elected President ofthe Council—Coronation of the King—Position of
the Duke of Buccleuch atthe ceremony as Gold Stick of Scotland—Fees of
entry raised, .......... 169
CHAPTER VIII.
Return of Captain-General from India—Ceremony of presenting the colours given
by the King to the Company—Picture of the Captain-General receiving
the colours—Spens Medal—Dalhousie Sword—Appointment of officers—
Misunderstanding about the Selkirk Arrow—Sword added to uniform—Band
resolved on—Death of the King, and proclamation of Queen Victoria—Death
ofthe Captain-General—Offer to attend his funeral declined—Appointment of
the Duke of Buccleuch as his successor—Fees of admission raised to £25—
Captain-General takes his place as Gold Stick of Scotland at the coronation—
Prize-Badges introduced—Valuable bows—Visit of the Queen to Scotland—
Account of the services performed by the Body-guard on that occasion—Pre
sentation ofthe "Reddendo" ofbarbed arrows—Chinese standards presented
—Curious match between an arrow and a golf-ball—Sir George Mackenzie's
proposals—Wapinschaw agreed to be held—Memorial from old officers, and
decision of Council thereon—Account of the Wapinschaw—Lord Dalhousie
elected President ofthe Council—MontroseArrow instituted—Royal Company
refuse to take part in the inauguration ceremonial oftheWellington Statue, . 195
Vlll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
Proposal to form the Royal Company into a Volunteer Rifle Corps—Opinion ofthe
Council adverse to any change—Regulation anent payment of entry-money—
Report by Committee on the laws and charter of the Royal Company—State
ment by one of the members of Committee—Resolutions moved at general
meeting, 1858—Death of the Earl of Morton, Vice-President of the Council—
Resignation of Mr Secretary Watson—Appointment of Chaplain—Dinner to
Officers of78th Highlanders—Resignation of Presidency ofthe Council by the
Marquess of Dalhousie—Volunteer review, i860—Guard of honour furnished
to her Majesty by the Royal Company—Proposed attendance on Prince Albert
in 1861—Did not take place—Portraits of the Captain-General and the
Marquess of Dalhousie—Changes on shooting-dress—New bonnet and bow-
case—Ball in honourofthe PrinceofWales'marriage—Chaplainand Surgeon-
General appointed—Balls in 1869 and 1874—Conclusion of this part of the
history ofthe Royal Company, ....... 225
CHAPTER X.
THE MEETING-PLACES OF THE ROYAL COMPANY.
Shooting at butts and rovers—Taverns in the olden time—John Monro's—
Lauriston Yards—Robert Finlayson's—Erection of butts on the west side of
the Parliament House—The Protestants—The Royal Company get a grant of
ground in Hope Park, 1726—Erection of butts there—Proposal to build a hall
177(5—Foundation-stone laid by St Clair of Roslin, 16th August—Account of
the Hall—The portraits—Subscriptions from inhabitants of George Square
solicited—The financial difficulties of the Company begin—Match dinners
instituted—Reduction ofrent grantedtothetenantofthe Hall—Bowling-green
established, 1791—Unsuccessful endeavours to pay off the debt—Liabilities of
the Company in connection with the Hall—History of the Hall as a tavern,
and account of its various occupiers—Dinners at the Hall—A guest night—
"The Mark"—Changes in the locality of the shooting-ground—Erection of
covered butts, 1790, . ' . • . • ' -254
CHAPTER XI.
LYRICS OF THE ROYAL COMPANY.
Early poems in connection with the Royal Company—'Archerie Reviv'd,' 1676—
The preface—Account of the author—Extracts from the poem—Poem by
Robertson of Struan—Anonymous poem—Cadet company of Archers at the
High School—Allan Ramsay and his contemporaries—Dr Pitcairn and the
Jacobite Latin verse-writers—French dramatic poem by James Freebairn—
Verseson StClairof Roslin—Archers' songs at thebeginningofthe nineteenth
century—'The Body-guard'—'The Bulls'—Professor Maclagan's song—
Poem on Archeryby Mr Muir, ....... 272