The Crossbowmen of Dresden
its formation. For instance, in July 1676 the Crown Prince of Saxony
made the ' Konigschuss,' or King's shot at the Bird, a feat which entitled
him to be ' King of the Crossbowmen ' for the year.
To commemorate this incident, a large gold medal worth forty-six ducats
was struck. This is annually worn at the banquet of the Society by the
member who made the ' Konigschuss ' at the last ' Vogelschiessen.'
The tall pole with the bird on its summit is shown on the reverse side
of the medal.
In 1707, the English Ambassador in Dresden made the ' Konigschuss,'
with the result that Queen Anne of England ordered a medal to be coined
of the value of twenty ducats, as a memento of the incident.
It has long been the custom for the King of Saxony—attended by his Court
and by any members of the Royal Family who happen to be in Dresden— to
discharge the opening shot of the annual competition.
The late King of Saxony, either personally or by deputy, frequently
shot off the first crossbow bolt at the bird on the pole.
Notes on the Regulations and Priviledges of the Society of Crossbowmen
of Dresden; Bogenschiitzen-Gesellschaft.'
Election is by ballot, the candidate being introduced by a member.
All men of decent education, respectable antecedents and independent
means are eligible.
The affairs of the Society are administered by two presidents and a
committee of six members, fees ranging from 2l. to 10l. being paid
to these officials for their services.
Members of the Saxon Royal Family are elected from the day of their
birth and annually pay certain fees to the Society.
In addition to the yearly fete, or ' Vogelschiessen,' the Society gives
a banquet and a ball.
In the absence of one of the Royal Family, the member who made the '
Konigschuss,' or King's shot, of the current year occupies the seat of
honour at the banquet and receives the guests.
The Court of Saxony and the municipality do not now pay their annual
subsidies to the Crossbowmen as they did formerly.
The municipality, however, under ancient contracts pays a considerable |