Dutch: Schuttersgilde; Schutterij, Italian: Bombardieri

Militia-guilds were city militias, associations that aided the city government in the maintenance of order, or assisted in city emergencies such as fire. These militia-guilds originated in Flanders, then spread to Northern France, the German territories and the Dutch Republic, and finally in the sixteenth century to the British Isles (Prak, 2006, 4). One of their core features was their shooting competitions. Along with religious brotherhoods and neighbourhood guilds, these militia-guilds were the most important urban organizations that united city citizens on the basis of something other then occupation. Like craft guilds, militia-guilds needed official recognition from the local authorities to form an association, as their organization structure and privileges were based on this recognition. Whether or not the membership was voluntarily or a civic duty is a matter of debate (Knevel, 1994).  

More information about militia-guilds per country can be found by clicking the links underneath: