Royal Toxophilite Society
Royal Toxophilite Society | |
 | |
| Formation | 3 April 1781 |
|---|---|
Formerly called | Toxophilite Society |
The Royal Toxophilite Society is the oldest archery club in England.[1]
History
[edit]Thomas Waring, an associate of Ashton Lever, had started partaking in archery in an effort to get more exercise and improve his health.[2] Lever, apparently after seeing the effect archery had on Waring, founded what was then known as the Toxophilite Society on 3 April 1781.[2][1] In 1787, George Augustus Frederick, the Prince of Wales and the future King of the United Kingdom, started occasionally shooting with the society.[2] Its name was changed to the Royal Toxophilite Society in 1847.[2]
In 1919, women were first allowed to become associate members of the society.[3] They were granted full membership in 1939.[3] Previously, the Society had had two Lady Patronesses: Lady Jane James (daughter of Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden) in 1789 and Mary Champion de Crespigny in 1901. Lady Jane James instituted a prize for the Lady Patroness's Target.[4]
Membership is by invitation only.[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "A Short History of the Society". Royal Toxophilite Society. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Longman, C.J. and Walrond, Col. H. (1894). The Badminton Library of Sport and Pastimes: Archery. Little Brown, and Co.; Longmans, Green, and Co, Boston; London.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - 1 2 3 "Archery clubs with ancient traditions". Archery GB. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ↑ A History of the Royal Toxophilite Society: From Its Institution to the Present Time. Royal Toxophilite Society. 1870. pp. 20, 134–5.
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