tspur, son of the
Earl of Northumberland, on the other, performed prodigies of valour. At
length, Hotspur being slain and Douglas taken, Henry remained master of
the field.

The bow was the most ancient and universal of all weapons. Our ancestors
in this island, at a very early period of their history, used the bow,
like other nations, for two purposes. In time of peace it was an
implement for hunting and pastime; and in time of war it was a formidable
weapon of offence and defence. It was not till after the battle of
Hastings that our Anglo-Saxon forefathers learned rightly to appreciate
the merit of the bow and the cloth-yard shaft. Though a general
disarming followed that event, the victor allowed the vanquished Saxon to
carry the bow. The lesson taught by the superiority of the Norman
archers was not forgotten. From that period the English archers began to
rise in repute, and in course of time proved themselves, by their
achievements in war, both the admiration and terror of their foes, and
excelled the exploits of other nations. The great achievements of the
English bowmen, which shed lustre upon the annals of the nation, extended
over a period of more than five centuries, many years after the invention
and use of firearms. All the youth and manhood of the yeomanry of
England were engaged in the practice of the long bow. England,
therefore, in those times possessed a national voluntary militia, of no
charge to the government, ready for the field on a short notice, and well
skilled in the use of weapons. Hence sprung the large bodies of
efficient troops which at different periods of English history, in an
incredibly short time, were found ready for the service of their country.
These men were not a rude, undisciplined rabble, but were trained,
disciplined men, every one sufficiently master of his weapon to riddle a
steel corslet at five or six score paces; or, in a body, to act with
terrific effect against masses of cavalry; while most of them could bring
down a falcon on the wing by a bird-bolt, or, with a broad arrow,
transfix the wild deer in the chase. There is little at the present day
in England to afford any adequate idea of the high importance, the great
skill, and the distinguished renown of the English archers. Some few
places still retain names which tell us where the bowmen used to assemble
for practice,--as _Shooter's Hill_, _in Kent_; _Newington Butts_, _near
London_; and _St. Augustine's