Archers gather for the Scorton Arrow.
by Philip Barker at Harrogate Rugby Club
The oldest documented tournament in an Olympic sport has celebrated 350 years.
Richard Allan of York Archers was the first to hit the black spot on the target in the contest for the “Antient” Silver Scorton Arrow to become 2023 winner.
The event, organised annually by the Society of Archers, takes place in May within the county boundaries of Yorkshire in England.
The competition was first held in the village of Scorton in 1673 in the reign of King Charles II, when Henry Calverley Esquire was the first winner.
The arrow presented is probably the oldest sporting prize in the world and is considered so precious that it is only brought out for the presentation Ceremony.
Before the tournament, the bugle was blown by the Club Lieutenant of the Arrow, Ian Marr, to call the archers to order.
He was chosen for the role because he was the first to hit the red ring on the target in the previous year’s competition.
Competition took place over the traditional distance of 100 yards and was open to archers using the traditional long bow alongside modern bows.
“Without the recurve this competition would not have survived the seventies and eighties because people didn’t shoot longbows,” 2022 winner and Club Captain Clive Roebuck admitted.
Bad language during the shoot is still frowned upon.
“We still have a swear box, most people at the beginning of the day just put in a pound and hope the judges don’t follow them around anymore,” said Roebuck.
The tradition was established in the original 17th century regulations.
“For as much as the exercise of archery is laudable, healthful and innocent, it is hereby declared that if any of them should swear or curse, he shall forthwith pay down one shilling and so proportionately for any oath.”
In earlier years, the competition was advertised with a call to “those wishing to encourage that ancient and manly exercise.”
Women do not shoot for the Scorton Arrow but have competed in a similar event for the Ascham Arrow since 1976.
It is incumbent on the Champion to fix the date and venue for the following year of competition.
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