17th century Low countries crossbow with windlass

[cornelistromp]

neither

this target crossbow is for practicing, on a crossbow shooting range.
Those shooting ranges (Doelen) stems from the training grounds for the dutch militia. probably founded in the 14thc onwards.

Militia/civic guards as seen on Rembrandt's masterpiece the night watch.
There were seperate Doelen for crossbows, for the longbow archery, and for matchlock firearms/muskets.

These civic guards were established probably between the 11th and 13th centuriy. The first archers' guilds "sheltered" the bourgeoisie, but their duties were later expanded with the defense of walls and canals.

From the 16th century the guild lost its military function, but it continued to exist as a relaxation shooting club for the elite.



best,
Jasper