MILITIA (SCHUTTERIJEN)

During the later Middle Ages, urban militias were founded and organized as guilds. They were to aid in the defense of a town and to keep internal public order. Their boards held an annual banquet. Many artists in the 17th century, such as Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613–1670), Frans Hals, and Rem brandt, were commissioned to paint a group portrait of the event (schuttersmaaltijd).