Toxophilus, originally published in 1545, is considered to be the first book on archery written in English. This comprehensive treatise on longbow archery provides a fascinating insight into historical shooting.

"how honest a pastime for the mind, how wholesome an exercise for the body" - Roger Ascham

The work comprises two books combined together: The First Book of the School of Shooting and The Second Book of the School of Shooting. They are written in the form of a dialogue between Toxophilus 'A lover of the bow' and Philogus 'A lover of learning'. In the discussion, Toxophilus justifies his love of archery as a pastime, puts forward his reasons for retaining the bow as a weapon of war instead of the newly favoured hand gun, and he gives practical instructions on the technique of shooting in the bow.

This antiquarian book will appeal to those with an interest in the history and development of the use of a bow and arrow, and it would make for the perfect addition to collections of related literature. Many old books such as this are increasingly hard-to-come-by and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this text in an affordable, modern edition complete with a new prefatory biography of the author.

Contents include:

• Introduction
• Chronicle of Life, Work, and Times of Roger Ascham
• Apologia
• The Royal Arms
• Dedication to King Henry VIII
• To All Gentlemen and Yeoman of England
• The First Book of the School of Shooting
• The Second School of Shooting
• Glossary of Old Words
• Imprints of the first two editions of Toxophilus
• Notes on the Glossary of Old Words
• Additional Archery Terminology