Once a year the crossbowmen of Lille gathered together as a community to celebrate their prestigious identity, to hold their annual competition and to unite all of the members in bonds of brotherhood. The date varied a little from year to year, but was always in early summer. The day began with the crossbowmen gathering in their guild chapel dedicated to Saint George to hear mass and pray for any guild-brother who had died during the year. Next they went to their jardin, where all guild-brothers were expected to take part in the annual papegay competition, so-called because the guild-brothers shot at a small wooden parrot atop a large wooden pole. After the competition the guild-brothers, who were all expected to be in their guild livery and on their best behaviour, retired to the guild hall. There they sat down for their annual meal and spent the night eating and drinking together, possibly enjoying some entertainment related to the identity and narrative of their guild. Such a picture of festivities on a certain day is common in guilds across Flanders, although details and the level of available records vary substantially.

The Papegay

Crossbowmen in Lille were expected to attend the annual shooting competition, dressed in their livery, or risk being fined 5s. Guild-brothers who failed to attend the feast risked fines – unless they were absent from the town – in large and small towns across the county. No evidence of fines being imposed has been recorded; but, as they were often specified to be used for drinks for those in attendance, it is possible that fines were paid, and drinks bought, without a written record being created.

The annual papegay shoot should have been attended by all, and the timing of the events is important. Many shooting competitions were held in late spring or early summer, presumably for the practical reason of a better chance of good weather, and also on account of their cultural significance. In the small town of Pecquencourt, just east of Douai, the crossbowmen met for their papegay contest on 1 May, while those of Roubaix met on the Sunday after the Day of Saint Urban (25 May).