The Royal Company of Archers

[Mike_Oettle]

A fascinating piece of research, Peter.
It certainly puts a strong case for returning to what you call the Archers’ Sett.
Regards,
Mike

[figheadair]

I've heard from the Archers' Secretary and have an open invitation to go and examine the costume and portraits . With other things on the go I suspect that that will be early November. More anon.

[Salvianus]

Ooh, the elusive breeches! You know the funny story quoted in Balfour Paul, I suppose?

When the red tartan coat was "presented to the Company in 1856, through T. G. Dickson, Esq., by Martine Lindsay, Esq., grandson of the late Martine Lindsay, Esq. of Dowhill, near Dundee, who had many years before received it from Laurence Oliphant, Esq. of Gask, along with the following letter : —

" Gask, 6M November 1777

...It is pretty odd if my coat be the only one left, especially as it was taken away in the '46 by the Duke of Cumberland's plunderers ; and Miss Anne Graeme, Inchbrackie, thinking it would be regretted by me, went boldly out among the soldiers and recovered it from one of them, insisting with him that it was a lady's riding-habit ; but putting her hand to the breeches to take them too, he with a thundering oath asked if the lady wore breeches?..."

I hope that the positive outcomes of the jubilee encourage them to do something special. I've just seen the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge get an ovation at Wimbledon as they arrived - the monarchy seems quite rejuvenated after some bleak years. Perhaps people will recover a bit after the Olympics and the royal organisers have all caught their breath!

Do let us know if you know of anyone we can encourage, they may not have considered the Charter and I'm sure the resurgence of traditional archery means a celebration might be supported, attended or even participated in by some of the clubs, for whom the Company's role has a direct importance not dependent on an appreciation for court ceremonial.

I should mention I have rambled on about the bows they use in the context of Scottish archery and a bit of their history with respect to various monarchs on another thread, if that is of any interest:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...69/index3.html
Post #25

My Regards

[figheadair]

Ooh, the elusive breeches! You know the funny story quoted in Balfour Paul, I suppose?

When the red tartan coat was "presented to the Company in 1856, through T. G. Dickson, Esq., by Martine Lindsay, Esq., grandson of the late Martine Lindsay, Esq. of Dowhill, near Dundee, who had many years before received it from Laurence Oliphant, Esq. of Gask, along with the following letter : —

" Gask, 6M November 1777

...It is pretty odd if my coat be the only one left, especially as it was taken away in the '46 by the Duke of Cumberland's plunderers ; and Miss Anne Graeme, Inchbrackie, thinking it would be regretted by me, went boldly out among the soldiers and recovered it from one of them, insisting with him that it was a lady's riding-habit ; but putting her hand to the breeches to take them too, he with a thundering oath asked if the lady wore breeches?..."

What an excellent quote. Gask and Inchbrackie are very close by and I can picture the whole thing. The breeches realy are a sight to behold. Hope to be able to update my article shortly to include a picture of them.

[figheadair]

A point of correction - Alasdair Campbell of Airds pointed out that the Archers were formed in 1676 and that the 1713 date is the aniversary of the new/revamped uniform. So, next year would be an appropriate time to commemorate and bring together an exhibition on the uniform rather that the Archers as a whole.

[creagdhubh]

A point of correction - Alasdair Campbell of Airds pointed out that the Archers were formed in 1676 and that the 1713 date is the aniversary of the new/revamped uniform. So, next year would be an appropriate time to commemorate and bring together an exhibition on the uniform rather that the Archers as a whole.

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