Sir Turner (Archer) Harvey, I

The youngest son of Humphrey Harvey, Turner became a noted archer and warrior, according to the book Reminiscences of the Harvey Family and other family documents: " Turner Harvey was the mightiest man with the longbow in all England, and that at his death, there was no man in the country who could spring his bow. Because of his remarkable strength, his skills with the bow and his bravery in battle, it is said that Turner became a favorite henchman of his Lord the King, Henry VIII. And it is further related that once, after a very sanguinary battle which ended in the capture by the King's soldiers of an important fortified town, Turner, who had been in the hottest places during the battle and had fought valiantly and effectively, was found to be missing by the King who was there in personal command of his soldiers. Fearing that Turner had been killed, and desiring to show due respect to his memory by giving remains decent and honorable burial, the King caused the bodies of the dead soldiers on the field to be so placed that he might readily examine them and identify his dead favorite. But Turner was not dead, for he soon appeared with a pair of hams slung over his shoulders, he having been foraging about the town for provisions of which the troops were in great need.

 The King, annoyed because of the trouble to which he had been put by supposing Turner to be dead, reproved the latter for his dereliction; but in recognition of the deeds of prowess performed on that bloody day by his chief archer, the King presnted him not many days thereafter with an archer's shield or escutcheon of metal, upon the obverse of which were emblazoned three longbows, three pheons, or barbed arrowheads, a motto in the French language -- Faites ce que l'honaires exige (Do what duty demands) -- and the device of a leopard holding in one of his paws three shafts, or arrows. This escutcheon, together with the mighty bow of Turner Harvey, prized and preserved as heirlooms, were in the possession of some of the old warrior's descendants in Somersetshire as late as 1640." Source:  The Harvey Book