With the invention of firearms, the crossbow lost its function as a defensive weapon. However, two archers' guilds remained very active in Bruges: St.-Sebastian's Guild and St.-George's Guild. The present home of this "Royal and Princely High Guild", is situated near the Guido Gezelle Museum. The museum contains various works of art, some splendid crossbows, ornaments, trophies, guild blazons, the royal sceptre, the silver arrow of the master of ceremonies and a 36 metre high open-air shooting installation.
The main attractions are the painting of 'St.-George and the Dragon' by Jan Garemijn, and the Golden Book, which contains the signatures of all the Belgian monarchs and many other VIPs.
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