The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-09

auering Canute. Even the great con
uueror himself, when the arrow of
Sangulac had seemed to place England
at his mercy. hesitated to enter Lon
don till intrigue disarmed it's sturdy
populace.
Bluff King Halls Call.
AS at present constituted the Honour
able Artillery Company dates from the
reign of Henry WHILST. The bluff
monarch was fully conscious of the
value of the citizens of London as fight
ing material. The Honorable Artillery
Company constituted the minute men"
of London in the sixteenth century. In
those days an invasion by foe was by
no means deemed unlikely, and he set
himself to establish such a force as
should hold London free from danger
An act was passed the preamble OF
which follows:
The Kyng, our sovereign Lord,
callying to his noble and gracious
remembrance that by the feats and
exercise of subjecttes of his realme
in Shooting and long bowes there hath
continyeally grown and been within
the same great number of and multi
tude OF goode Archers which hath
defended this realme, and the sub
jects thereof against the cruel
malice and danger of their out
ward enemys in TYNE heretofore
past, and also have done many nota-
BILE acts and discomfitures of ware
against the inhdelles and others, and
furthermore subdued and reduced,
diverse and many regions and coun-
trees to their true obeysance to the
great honor fame, and cutie of this
realme, and subject and to the terri
bic drede and fere of all strange
nacions anythinge to attempte OF do
the hurte or danger of theyme or any
of theym.
A Charter Granted.
After the passing OF this act a charter
was granted August 25, 1897. comforting
upon the Fraternity Of Guylde of Saint
George: Masters and Rulers of the said
Science of Artillery as aforesaid re-
hearsed for long bowes, cros-bowes. and
hand-gounes." The members were giver
license ito use any short bows and
hand guns in London and suburbs and
all other parts of the realm of England,
ireland, Calais, and Wales
This guild of artillerymen succeeded
TO the corps of London archers and long
bow men who formed the city volunteers
in the days of the Henrys. when the
King was in the habit of watching their
exercises at the butts outside the city
walls.
Some Noted Members.
Under Queen Bess the 300 members
were rewarded by receiving commissions
during the Armada campaign to be dis
tributed throughout the army temper
arily to instruct the soldiery. The i'll
fated Charles ! became an active mem
Der OF the company.
John Milton himself in his youth wore
its uniform as a member. and it was a
center Of instruction for the other vol
unteer corps of London, whose officers
were required by statute to be members
also of the company. The Puritan char
acter of the company at this time was
reflected in the oashoot formed in Mass
aehusetts in 1858. the successors o.
whom are now extending hospitality &c
their English brethren.
$500
company was at the head OF London's
trained bands. IL was then strongly
tinctured with the prevalent anti-Stuart
feeling. and its muster rolls bore the
names OF many distinguished person
ages. On the restoration of Charles II
in 1860. the King became captain-gen-
eraI and colonel. and since that time
the Office has always been held by either
the King or the Prince of Wales.
Always Given First Call.
The HONORABLE Artillery Company
was recognized the first Of the auxiliary
forces OF the crown. The uniform was
the blue hussar. with scarlet facings. II
any riot or disturbance was feared, the
first call was always for this corps. In
1853 and 1865 the weavers' riots were
ouelled by them. and in 1880 they rem
dered special services in the Gordon
riots.