I think my favourite archers would be.

Norse Archers,

Highland Archers.

Trebizond Archers.

Merc archers =
Bulgarian Brigands

the reason why is that they are a good step-up from basic peasant archers, can use flame, are not as expensive as elite archers,, AND, can actually handle some hand-to-hand combat.
elite archer units are better damage, range, and melee but they cost more, aren't as available and more of a pain to retrain when they inevitably take losses.