Archery Butts & the Law
26th January 2026 by | Uncategorized
Tudor Sports and Pastimes
Archery Butts & the Law
By statute, no Englishman was to neglect the bow. Churchyards often had targets at their edge; fines were levied for shirkers. Even as guns appeared, kings feared losing the muscle-memory of archery and banned bowling and football lest they tempt men away. The parish butts were part drill-ground, part social stage, where skill meant pride and defiance.
If you know the area called Shooters Hill, which lies near Greenwich and Blackheath, the reason it was named Shooters Hill was that it was the highest point in London for miles, and so Sunday bow practice was encouraged here.
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