THE KING'S ARCHER
Markus Tobiasson Hawk, originally not from Turku, was Archer in the Finnish division of archers lead by the famous Kaarle Knutsson. Markus grew up in Rautalampi and enlisted as a 16-year old in the archers of Kaarle Knutsson who was in Viipuri at the time. Later, after fighting in the King’s troops against the Danes Markus finally settled in Turku. During his expeditions Markus had acquired some possessions and was able to get a small homestead in Räntämäki. The last few years have been more peaceful and Markus’s wife, Liina has even given birth to three children. Days pass cultivating the soil and taking care of some cattle.
When there is a break in work at home, Markus packs his bag and goes hunting, usually in the direction of Pyhäjärvi district. He takes his flat-bottom rowboat all the way to the upper course of the River Paattinen and continues on foot. Markus had learnt to use the crossbow during his service. However, when he goes hunting with his trusted companion Peni, he only uses the juniper bow with which he is well able to knock down a large elk. The wild corn in the woods is a nice extra in a meal during hunting trips. As the King’s Archer Markus is allowed to hunt all over Finland. Sometimes he receives enough prey to sell the excess goods at the market or for the nobility in the castle. Markus’s wife is an experienced tanner whose work with marten and squirrel leather is well known for its quality.
Markus doesn’t miss making war any more and it is not easy to get him to answer questions about war affairs. However, he is known to have been captured by the Danes when an arrow from a crossbow passed through the leather armour protecting the leg and cut a gaping wound in the leg. As a result of that particular incident Markus still limbs his right leg. It is impossible to try and lure Markus into riding a horse, because he says he trusts his own feet better. Apparently avoiding horses also has to do with a war affair Markus is hiding. Markus likes to say: "I thank my lord that here in Finland even the fields are ploughed by oxen". When the feudal lord receives important guests, he invites Markus to be their hunting master in Ruissalo where even Markus is otherwise forbidden to go. Markus is amused by the light, silvery weapons of the feudal lords and ladies and says they wouldn’t even kill a rabbit. Luckily there are no bears in Ruissalo. Otherwise the commissions in Ruissalo are always nice. Markus is allowed to drink as much of the beer and even the wine of the nobility as he pleases. After such a hunting trip Markus replies to his wife’s inquires that it was a lot similar in Ruissalo as it was in Skåne. There were a lot of beer and arrows wasted; however, unlike in Skåne the moneybag remained empty and casualties low.
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