The Leipzig Marksmen's Society - An Overview of Its Origins and Development. This volume presents the early history and initial developments, including crossbowmen, riflemen, the united society of rifle and armor shooters, the marksmen's court, and much more. Illustrated with 28 black-and-white plates. Marksmen's societies or shooting clubs are associations dedicated to the practice of shooting sports. They originated in cities during the late Middle Ages, where citizens banded together to protect themselves against encroachments from surrounding lords. In the Middle Ages, some cities had to defend themselves against bands of marauders. For this reason, associations were formed that resembled a citizen militia. With the law on the military constitution of cities enacted by King Henry I in 924, these citizen militias were officially sanctioned for the first time, at least concerning settlements with city rights, and became an official part of city defense. In connection with the drills and musters of the cities' levies, celebrations accompanied by parades were held. Participants from friendly communities and sometimes even the feudal city leaders were invited to these marksmen's courts. However, the self-assured nature of these citizens' events was not always approved by the authorities. Reprint of the original edition from 1893.