Archery For many centuries archery was encouraged by successive monarchs, even to the extent of forbidding football and other ball games. English archers were particularly important during the Middle Ages. Longbows proved decisive at the battles of Cr�cy (1346) and Agincourt (1415). Many medieval ballads celebrate their feats in hunting, fighting, and sport. In practice arrows were fired at targets placed in front of earthen or wooden butts. It is known that there were archery butts in Vauxhall - probably in Vauxhall Gardens area.