Target Rounds

[cliveanne]

I expect town names are as good as anything for a round. But, why the others, ie. Western, American, St Nicholas.
By the same token, why FITA & Metric do not use place names or others.
OK, You know where you are with a metric shoot, & with GNAS you have to look up to see what you will be shooting.
I short, what is the history of our shooting rounds?

[Graham Potts]

Had a look in one of Dad's old Archery books tonight - I understand that the York Round name was adopted from the location of the first organised British Championship held at York, on the Knavesmire ground, in 1844. The distances for the round were known as the "Prince's Lengths" - something to do with HRH George, Prince of Wales, (later to become King George the IV) and who was Patron of the Royal Toxophilitie Society (RTS) from 1787 - 1830. The distances came from RTS rounds for the Princes Prize Bugles. These were shot from 1790 for a ten year period, and the Prince of Wales laid down the distances - 100yds, 80 yds and 60yds, with the target face getting progressively smaller - 4ft, 3ft and then 2ft. Three arrows were to be shot at each end, and a double end of six arows became known as a round. There was no laid down number of "rounds" to be shot, only that there were to be the same amount at each distance - apparently it was usual to shot 42 rounds - some 252 arrows! (I am indebted to others who have researched this long before me and provided the information).
As to the rest of the rounds, I don't know why they have the various names, but I am sure there is a reason for them.

[cliveanne]

Interesting, thank you for that.