History of the Guylde of the Fraternitie of St. George

The Fraternity was officially established on the 25th of August, 1537, when King Henry VIII issued a charter to the then Guylde or Fraternitie of St. George. He authorized it to begin a perpetual corporation "for the better increase of the defense of this our realm", with the name of "Fraternitie or Guylde of Artillery of Longbows, Crossbows and Handguns".

Populated by volunteer members of the Nobility and Upper-class Gentry (mostly from the boroughs of London), the fraternity consisted entirely of the trained Captains (the military leaders of the time). These Captains, expert in the art of hand Artillery, were charged with overseeing the army's transition from its dependency on the Longbow, while still maintaining the Longbow expertise so historically important to England's survival. (The use of the term artillery meaning any missile or weapon of volley, such as the longbow, crossbow or musket, but not as yet including cannon.)

Because of the historical importance of the group, as well as its strategic location within the walls of London itself, the Fraternitie of St.George and the Guylde of Artillery was among the few military units allowed to parade in full regalia, including the use of drums and the display of colors, within the city confines. So revered was this group, that its use of the Longbow for hunting fowl and game within and about the incorporated and metropolitan areas of London was unrestricted. A privilege not even the Royal Foresters enjoyed.

Because the Fraternity of Saint George was the origin of the current British military regiment known as the "Honorable Artillery Company" (also known as The Company), our scope and purpose must be closely linked. Our look and feel will be sanctioned and approved by The Company. Nothing depicted within the vignette will deviate or detract from that noble history. From clothing and weapons, to flags and banners, to the achievements on the coat of arms displayed. All will be as it would have been during the Tudor and Elizabethan periods.

The images below, depict the present day Pike and Musket Corps display and honor group of the Honorable Artillery Company. To visit the parents (the Honorable Artillery Company) web site, select the following achievement:

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