816 MONADELPHIA. POLYANDRIA. Pinto. 
{Lambert Pin. 1. 1. E.)— FI Ross. 11. f. I. i— (E. Rot. 2460. E.)— Mill. 
III. — Blackw. 190— Hunt. Evel. 260; i. p. 274. Ed. ii.— Woodv. 207 —- 
Dexterity in the use of the “ bended Yew” decided the battles of Cressy, Poictiers, and 
Azincourt. By this simple instrument was the flower of chivalry slaughtered or dispersed, 
and even the men at arms, encased in mail, vainly endeavoured to stand before it. In the 
latter momentous contest, it stands recorded, that, “ the enemy’s cross-bow-men, after the 
first but too hasty discharge in which they hurt very few, retreated from the fear of our 
bows.” “ The warlike bands of archers, with their strong and numerous volleys, covered 
the air with clouds, shedding, as a cloud laden with a shower, an intolerable multitude of 
piercing arrows, and inflicting wounds on the horses, which either threw the French horse¬ 
men, who were arrayed to charge them,to the ground,or forced them to retreat; and so their 
dreadful and formidable purpose was defeated.” And further, after an impetuous charge 
of the French nobility to seize the English standards ; “ Then the battle raged very 
fiercely, and our archers pierced the flanks with their airows , and continually renewed the 
conflict.” (Nicolas. Elmham.) Nor are we less indebted to the bow, for domestic service 
good and true; as over the Scots at Hamildon ; and, (116'2), temp. Hen. II. when 
Ireland was chiefly subdued by that instrument, with which the Irish were unacquainted. 
But of deadly feuds and border affrays, sustained by this weapon, none has been better 
sung than the encounter of Earls Percy and Douglas : 
“ The English earl, not fearing this, 
Did to the w'oods resort; 
With fifteen hundred bowmen bold. 
All chosen men of might. 
Who knew full well in time of need. 
To aim their shafts aright. 
Lo! yonder doth Earl Douglas come, 
His men in armour bright; 
Full twenty hundred Scottish spears 
All marching in our sight. 
Our English archers bent their bows. 
Their hearts were good and true ; 
At the first flight of arrows sent. 
Full three score Scots they slew.” 
For individual deeds of prowess with the same weapon, we must refer to the fine old 
ballad of Chevy Chase.—Enough has been stated to prove that the Yew tree, whether 
viewed in connection with the arts of war or peace, or associated with more sacred 
sentiments, as an adjunct to the village church 
“That points with taper spire to heaven,” 
is deserving of every respectful consideration, and should be esteemed as one of the most 
interesting of our native productions. The Surry hills near Reigate, and in the 
neighbourhood of Dorking, were, temp. C. II. clothed with Yew and box. Lightfoot 
describes the remains of an ancient wood of Yew at Glemire, near Glencrenan, in Upper 
Lorn ; whence the name of the spot, Gleaniuir, the valley of Yew trees. A decisive proof 
of this tree being justly considered aboriginal arises from its having been found buried in 
peat mosses ; as in those of Matterdale and Patterdale ; where, according to Hutchinson, 
large pieces still retain their beautiful red colour. Since Yew trees have been preserved in 
church-yards from time immemorial, one, at least, being ycleped“ the consecrated Yew,” 
-- “ Which in the place of sculptur’d stone, 
Marks out the resting place of men unknown.” Churchill. 
there we may expect to find some of the finest specimens, 
—-.— “ Casting 
Drear shadows on the fairer trees and flowers,-— 
Affection’s latest signs.” 
In Aberystwith church-yard, among other large ones, is one 24 feet in girt: at 
