This is the third time in as many posts that I have something to say concerning urban archery guilds in the middle ages. I discovered that the archery guilds in Amsterdam were also called after sint Joris (crossbow) and sint Sebastiaan (normal bow), similar to Maastricht and Brugge. Coincidence? I think not. Apparently sint Joris (George) is patron of all soldiers, and also of farmers and tourists; I think crossbowmen can be added to the list, though they fall under soldiers, anyway. In a moment of great irony, Richard the Lionheart proclaimed him the protector of all crusaders. Saint George, however, did not take this task too seriously - the great crusader Richard died of a crossbow quarrel.
Saint Sebastian is, like his dragon-slaying brother in Christ, counted as a protector of soldiery, and in particular archers. Probably because having been executed by them made him feel all warm and fuzzy towards them. He is also the patron saint of the dying, which seems like a rather pointless and excessively frustrating job.
I have also brought my film roll with photographs from Brugge to be developed. Yes, I still have an old-fashioned, non-digital camera! The photographs should be developed by Friday and are only showing architecture.
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