Sisters of Saint George: female membership and material remembrance within the Crossbow Guild of late medieval Ghent. Issue 6 (1st November 2016) - Crombie, Laura
ABSTRACT: This article contributes to ongoing research on women's roles within late medieval guilds and parishes, especially their giving of objects on their death. Looking at women within archery and crossbow guilds in Flanders, and drawing on records of bequests they left to guilds on their deaths, as well as at membership lists, the article will demonstrate the ability of women to take part in religious services through objects. Female guild-sisters were invisible in the public life of many groups, but they played an important role in the devotional side of guild activities, using personal possession to express their part within the piety and community of guilds, even shooting guilds associated with military service and military competitions.