Een en ander over de Gor­kum­sche schut­ten­gil­den en hun Doelen

Shooting guilds emerged in the Netherlands from the end of the 12^e and start 13^e century, initially as civil brotherhoods for warfare and later as social and municipal associations. In Gorinchem, there were three guilds: the Guild of St. George (crossbow), the Guild of St. Sebastian (longbow), and the Guild of St. Christopher (hand-bow). These guilds each bore their own coat of arms, colors, and clothing, and had a clear hierarchy and ceremonial traditions, including the annual "shooting the parrot." Members were required to walk the guard and serve on the town guard in peacetime, and to perform military service in wartime. They enjoyed important privileges, such as financial compensation, fishing rights, exemption from severance pay, and protection in case of injury. They also had their own altar in the church with their own vicar.