Archery

Archery, the art of shooting with a bow and arrows. Archery is mentioned in Genesis, and frequently referred to both in the Iliad and the Odyssey, in the latter of which books much is made of the bow of Ulysses. In Egypt and Assyria, too, traces are found which indicate the great age of this art. The English seem to have excelled in the art, and, according to the histories, the victories of Crecy, Poictiers, and Agincourt were in great part, if not wholly, due to the valiant English bowmen. The introduction of fire-arms naturally caused the decay in the art of archery, and after its abandonment as a military art, took its place as a recreation, in this capacity it enjoyed a long popularity, and is still in high favour with a number of devotees. Several societies of archers exist both in England and in Scotland. among the oldest established being The Royal Toxophilite Society, the Royal Company of Archers. and the Woodmen of Arden.