2-888-627 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Fete of the Royal Company of Archers, on the Links of Montrose, 1850. Archery competition in Scotland. 'The distance between the two butts was 100 yards; and the prize a piece of plate...The wind was blowing strongly...and the sky soon became overcast with rain, which fell heavily. This, however, did not interrupt the Archers; they fired on briskly, with thousands of keen eyes from under umbrellas following their arrows through the air, every arrow that stuck in the target producing a motion and kind of suppressed cheer among the spectators. Sometimes, four or five arrows were sticking in the target at one time, and we observed one strike within two inches of the bull's eye...Alex. Duff, Esq., W.S., Edinburgh, was declared the gainer of the plate...The Royal Company of Archers was established by James I. of Scotland...as the King's Body Guard for Scotland'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.