Confrerie van de Edele Busse te Middelburg, schutterspenning met no. 124 1623

This is a silver shooting medal made in the Netherlands in 1623 by Johannes Looff. It gives us a fascinating insight into the civic life of the Dutch Republic. The medal was created for the Confrerie van de Edele Busse, or brotherhood, of Middelburg. On one side, we see crossed muskets, emphasizing the importance of skill at arms and military readiness. The inscription ‘Valeant qui inter nos dissidiunt’ translates as ‘may those who sow discord among us depart.’ This points to the internal divisions within Dutch society at the time. The other side shows a phoenix rising from the flames, a symbol of rebirth and resilience. The phoenix suggests the ability of the Dutch Republic to overcome adversity through civic unity. By looking at archival sources, such as the records of shooting guilds and other civic organizations, we can develop a better understanding of the social and institutional context in which this medal was created.