The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-31
SCOTlA'S ROYAL ARCHERS
ANCIENT COMPANY WITH UNIQUE
HISTORY AND MANY PRIVILEGES.
They Are the Personal Guard Of the
Sovereign North Of Tweed-Thefr
Commander IL q "Gold Stick"
rd,nbrrr Letter IN Brooklyn Eagle.

Edinburg Letter IN BROOKLYN Eagle.
In the domain of Great Britain there are
many strange and curious military organi-
~zations, suggestive Of the medieval days,
and among them the Royal Archers Is one
of the quaintest. On the Kings trip to this
city the Archers were in their full glory.
for, by virtue Of the charter granted by
Queen Anne, the Archers possess the honor
of acting as the sovereign's bodyguard
ncrth of the Tweed. In all the ceremonies
in which the King participated the Royal
Archers were constantly in evidence.
In the ranks of the Archers are represent
atives OF nearly all the prominent Scottish
families Of high degree. The captain gen.
eral is always a nobleman OF high rank, he
being also Gold Stick Of Scotland. He is
bound, when the sovereign comes TO Edin-
burg. to take charge of his person from
Inchbankland Brae on the east to ramon
bridge on the west.
The Royal Company of Archer IL said
to have been instituted by James I OF Scot
land on his return from captivity in Eng
LAND. with the intention OF improving the
science Of archery. Little is known of their
early history, however, until in 1876 the
Marques OF Athou infused new life into the
almost forgotten corps. On Dec. 81, 1908.
Queen Anne visited Edinburg. when she
made the company into a royal corporation.
IT Is by the terms Of this charter that the
Royal Archers perform a service of pre-
senting three barbed arrows TO the sover-
eign when residing at HolyTood.
AT the time Of Queen Anne's visit, almost
all the members were Jacobites, and the
company continued TO be a sort OF masked
muster for the cause OF the Stuarts for a
company has only once held a court-mar-
t1al on any OF their members, and this oc-
cured In 1874, when two officers who had abb
SRnLe0 themselves for a march were cash.
Tered. As a matter Of fact, their absence
had furnished a convenient excuse for get
ting rid OF two non-JacobiteS.
To begin with, no uniform was worn by
members save that they bore or their bon
nets the company's seal and arms. How
ever, IN 11l4 they bloSsomed forth into a
theatrical costume, which they fondly be-
lieved to be after the ancient Roman model.
II was of tartan, trimmed with green silk
fringe, with a blue bOneDt, decorated with
green and white ribbons, the officers wear
ing silver lace. Then, in the following
year they procured their first set Of stand
ards, bearing on one side a yew tree proper,
supported dexter and sinister by an archer,
bow in hand. In 1872 a more elaborate and
preten nf, standard was adopted. emblaz,
motto. Pro Patria dulce PETROLEUM"
In 1872. on the occasion of George Tvs
visit to Edinburgh, the company rendered
itself as his bodyguard. and it's services
were accepted. The right to claim this priv
ilese is at least doubtful, but it was claimed
that the company was not a private asso-
citation. but constituted by royal charter
the Kings first regiment of guards In Scot
land Accordingly, the company, attired in
a new uniform or surprising ugljness, de-
signed by Sir Walter Scott, played a prom
inent part in the various ceremonials which
followed, when also they, for the first time.
presented TO the sovereign the reddendo
of three barbed arrows. The service was
performed with great state at Holyrood
Palace, the arrows being made of snake
wood and barbed with silver, while the
feathers were those of the Argus pheasant.
The only other sovereign SO far who has
who had it presented to her four times.
namely, on her visits TO Edinburgh in 1872,
1850, 1876 and 1886.
From the date OF George Tvs visit the
Royal Archers increased greatly in prestige
and Importance. In 1880 William w gave
a gold stick TO the captain general and a
silver stick to the next two general officers,
thus putting them on a footing with the
Household Brigade in London. AT the coro-
nation Of William ~ the captain general,
as gold stick OF Scotland, walked in the
procession next TO the gold stick of Eng
land, a position which he also occupied at
the coronation of Queen Victoria and King
presented by William Nv with a new stand
of colors.
In 1881 the court dress was altered from
the gorgeous scarlet. which had been as
signed by George Nv In 1926, TO green and
gold. with gold thistle and embroidery, the
officers being distinguished by an aiguil-
lette on the right shoulder and a gold sash,
and this practically is the uniform as 1t ex-
lists to-day. with the addition of green vel
VET ldClISS. II COllSllluliOH " lne COLl-
pany has remained unaltered throughout
where council and judges are concerned,
and the general officers, whose names were
inserted for the first time in Harris Army
List in January, 1903, comprise a captain
general 0he Duke of Buccleuch), four cap
tains, four lieutenants, four ensigns, twelve
brigadiers, an adjutant and a surgeon. In
1885 the fees of the admission TO the com
pany were raised TO $125, at which they
have since remained. The company's head
quarters are the Archers' Hall in Edin-
burgh, built In 17T6. The hall contains a
magnificent collection of portraits OF for
mer captains general and members of the
council. including Raeburn's fine picture OF
DR.. Spens. Four guest nights are held each
year, when the table groans beneath the
weight OF the superb plate and trophies in
the possession of the company. 1t should
be noted that the first toast given at mess
is not The King" but The Mark" which
Is drunk sitting down.
The principal trophies comprise q silver
arrow, given by the magistrates Of Edin.
burgh in 1909; a silver punchbowl, made OF
native silver, dating from 1720, and or
then hung a gold medal. so that in 1875 the
was estimated at SIC. 9O0-finally there was
In 1851: the Hopetoun vase, presented BY
housie sword ~(scabbS-i and hilt thickly SET
with jewels), which was given for competi
ton in 1884.
RAISE THE WIND.