Royal Toxophilite Society
Archery club in England
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History
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]
