MARCH OF THE ARCHERS

Shooting of the Lonbow was greatly encouraged in Medieval times as this was the weapon of war.  From the 1500s Archers practised Longbow in Finsbury Fields, Moorfields and Spitalfields.  To the South of the Thames they shot in the fields of Southwark.

In 1509 King Henry VIII commenced making annual payments to a small company of Archers called the Fraternity of St. George.  

The payments were made every 23rd April to encourage their practice of the Longbow.  In 1537 King Henry VIII formalised these arrangements, granting a Charter in the name of the Fraternity and Guild of Saint George, later known as the Honourable Artillery Company of London.

On the 11th October 2009 Longbow Archers from across Europe and the USA came together to commemorate the 500 years since the last March of Archers.  Three of those Archers were Club Members Colin, Louise and Marion. 

Some 200 Archers marched from Guildhall Square to the headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), entering through the South Gate, with kind permission of Her Majesty the Queen, as this entrance is usually reserved for her.  As they marched they were accompanied by mounted Police and motorcycle outriders.

All the Archers taking part were given a Certificate as witness to their participation.  They also raised money for the Army Benevolent Fund, a very generous £3,700 was raised by those Archers attending the march.