The
Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by
King Henry VIII and is considered
one of the oldest military organisations in the world. Today it is a registered charity whose purpose is to attend to the "better defence of the realm", this purpose is primarily achieved by the support of the HAC Regiment and a detachment of
Special Constabulary to the
City of London Police. The word "artillery" in "Honourable Artillery Company" does not have the current meaning that is generally associated with it, but dates from a time when in the English language that word meant any projectile, including for example arrows shot from a bow, or, to take a modern example from infantry units, mortar bombs. The equivalent form of words in modern English would be either "Honourable Infantry Company" or "Honourable Military Company."