THE FINSBURY MARKS

Archery practice in the 1500s was governed by statute and, with certain exceptions, all males were required to take part, with – it has to be said – variable enthusiasm, there were those who actually enjoyed the experience and took great pleasure from the activity.

For these enthusiasts special areas were prepared and set aside: in south London in St Georges Fields, Southwark, and in the north, Finsbury Fields, an large area of green space north of what is now Finsbury Square on the edge of the City Of London. Although the two were similar in scope, purpose and number of shooting ‘Marks’ the presence of the Honourable Artillery Company at Finsbury gained it the greater attention.

Originally marshy, uneven and largely wasteground, it was cleared and prepared for archery and general use in the early 1500’s, offering open grassland and fields bounded by hedges and accessed by stiles, with paths offering pleasant ‘country’ walks.

Use was made of these fields for archery related ‘spectacle’. On the 27th of August 1559 ‘there was a tent set up at Fynsbere for