From its inception to the current date (2009), 300 meetings of the Antient Silver Arrow competition have taken place, with over 100 archers competing in the May 2009 event.
The first competition was held on Sunday 14 May 1673, with 22 archers from the North Riding of Yorkshire and South Durham taking place. The competition was won by Henry Calverley of Eryholme–on–Tees.
The Society of Archers
The Society of Archers was formed at this meeting. Its aim was to preserve the skill of target archery, a skill which was falling into decline after the cessation of hostilities of the English Civil War (1641-1651).
The Antient Scorton Silver Arrow competition is open to men over the age of 21 using hand bows other than compound bows. (A hand bow is a bow drawn by hand opposed to a compound bow, which is a modern bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys.). Competitors shoot at targets set at a range of 100 yards. The winner is the first archer to hit the 3 inch black spot at the centre of the target. If two archers hit the black spot, the arrow closest to the centre is the winner. Not only does the winner win a replica of the Scorton Arrow, which he holds for a year, he is appointed Captain of the Arrow and has the responsibility of arranging the next meeting. In turn, the Captain of the Arrow is assisted in this by a Lieutenant of the Arrow, the first archer to hit the red zone of the target. As with the Captain of the Arrow, should two arrows hit the red zone, the arrow closest to the centre is deemed the winner. The Lieutenant of the Arrow is awarded the Silver Bugle. The Ancient Horn Spoon is awarded to the Archer making the worst white at the last end.
Asham Silver Arrow
Although this competition is only open to men, the Asham Silver Arrow competition was introduced for women in1976
The original Scorton Silver Arrow is held at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds where it is on permanent display. The replica arrow awarded in its place was commissioned by a former Captain of the Arrow (1951), Frank Newbould of Knaresborough in 1952. The original arrow was gilded between the years 1750-1760 and became known as the Golden Arrow, although this was only a temporary re-naming as the gilding gradually wore off and wasn't replaced and the Arrow was once again known as the Silver Arrow.
Sources:
How Much Do You Know, Published by Oldhams Press Ltd.
The Antient Scorton Silver Arrow by Ben Hird
The Society of Archers
