YEW-TREE. 351 



Among such of our kindred trees as were devoted to 

 religious purposes, the Fortingal yew, in a solitary church- 

 yard amid the Grampian mountains, is one of the most 

 interesting. It is now a ruin, but when entire was, 

 according to Pennant, at least fifty-six feet in circumfer- 

 ence. An ancient yew also remains at Fountains Abbey, 

 in Yorkshire, supposed to have been standing before the 

 monastery was erected, in the beginning of the twelfth 

 century. 



When planted beside castle-walls or baronial mansions, 

 our tribe were in great request for making long-bows. 

 And this not without reason, for, independent of their 

 importance, a bow of the best foreign yew was sold for 

 6s. 8d. in the days of archery, whereas one made of 

 English yew might be obtained for only two shillings. 

 In those stern ages bended bows were in greater request than 

 either shield, or sword, or spear ; and dexterity in their 

 use decided the battles of Cressy, Poictiers, and Agincourt. 

 By the aid of our strong boughs, when thus appropriated, 



