Our Lady Rifle Brotherhood from 1630 Münster
The Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft of 1630 Munster is a rifle brotherhood in Munster in Westphalia that was founded during the Thirty Years War . As with all Munster rifle societies, the source material that has been handed down is very poor; from 1630 to 1744 the only source is the king's chain with the king's shield. But one thing is certain: the "Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft" can boast that it is the oldest of the parish rifle brotherhoods within the old town.
history
With the growth of urban power and the flourishing of the urban system, rifle guns came to Westphalia from the 14th and 15th centuries, especially from the Flemish and northern French regions . In the Hanseatic cities in particular , such as Münster , Dortmund and Soest , rifle brotherhoods were established.
In Münster, the first indirect reference to an organized rifle brotherhood is handed down for the year 1447, namely in a combing invoice.
It was not the purpose and task of the Rifle Brotherhoods to organize the city's defense. Conscription was one of the general civic duties and prescribed armament for every man. In an emergency, everyone was called in to defend the city. The rifle brotherhoods made an indirect contribution to the city's defense, as they trained citizens in the handling of weapons ( halberd , crossbow , firebox ). City and state rulers supported such associations by granting certain privileges or even through their membership. By 1553, the City Council of Münster had acquired a total of 811 red rifle hats (called berets or bonettes) for members of the rifle brotherhood and supported the rifle festivals with several barrels of beer. Special shooting skills were rewarded, the marksman was exempt from taxes for one to three years and awarded a hat, a silver spoon or money. It is not uncommon for a bishop of Munster to be the rifle king in a brotherhood. In 1713, Prince-Bishop Franz Arnold von Wolff-Metternich was the shooter king of the Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft on the canal .
The Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft is a shooting association that is organized on the basis of a parish, the municipality of Überwasser . The brotherhood was founded during the Thirty Years' War . The oldest royal label of the Liebfrauen Brotherhood dates from 1630, so that, provided that an older label has not been lost, this can be assumed as the year of foundation. Documentary evidence for the existence of the brotherhood from this or earlier times are not available. Even the “younger” files were destroyed with the log book, which had been kept since 1778, with the exception of small remains in the Second World War (1939–1945).
The first verifiable marksman king was Henric Trippelvoet (1630), who lived on the "Hohenkamp" ( Krummer Timpen ) in Münster. In the royal year he was sworn in as a clerk by the city council of Münster.
It is particularly worth mentioning that on March 17, 1938, in the course of the so-called The National Socialists' efforts to equalize the rifle brotherhoods "Liebfrauen-Überwasser", "Alt-Uppenberg" and "Aa-Insel" were forcibly united under the new name "United Schützenbruderschaften von Liebfrauen". The National Socialists wanted to strip the rifle brotherhoods of their church ties and bring them down to the level of military sport shooting clubs. The offices in the new "association" could only be filled by party members of the NSDAP . This memorable general assembly also took place with the participation of the party. The Aldermann was now called "club leader".
In 1940 all shooting clubs were affiliated to the National Socialist Reich Association for Physical Exercise . According to § 2 of the new uniform statutes, which had to be unanimously adopted on July 9, 1940, the purpose of the association was from now on: "The physical and character education of the members in the spirit of National Socialism through the systematic maintenance of physical exercises" . Propaganda marches, large-scale rallies and victim shooting "enriched" the annual program of the "United Schützenbruderschaften von Liebfrauen" from now on. Strict instructions ensured the appearance of all members. Club life is reported until around 1942, when reporting dies. The heavy bombing raids on Münster since the spring of 1943 have completely paralyzed club life.
In the constituent general assembly on February 25, 1947, the "United Schützenbruderschaft von Liebfrauen" was dissolved and it was decided to revive the old brotherhoods.
Today, in 2008, the 176th king, known by name, rules the Brotherhood in the 378th year of its existence.
Structure and membership
At the head of the Schützenbruderschaft always stood the senior or Aldermann , who was also known as "husher (husser)" = master of the house, because the brotherhood's meeting took place in his house. Originally it was probably always the oldest member of the brotherhood, later he was re-elected at every general assembly. He was supported by the two Schaffer or Scheffer, who managed the brotherhood assets, had to get what was necessary for the king's shooting and the king's ball and had to serve at the "Zehrung" (the shooting meal after the king's shooting).
From the beginning, only those who had citizenship and lived in the parish of Überwasser could become members.
Regulations
Since the only source on the history of the brotherhood up to 1744 is only the king's chain with the labels, nothing is known about the first institution, original insignia and regulations . Even in the 18th century and earlier there were probably no written statutes, because when the former Aldermann of the brotherhood died in 1783, the heirs only gave the new Aldermann the rifle chain, a silk flag with an image of Our Lady and an inscription on it The Brotherhood was depicted, and files were handed over as the property of the Brotherhood from 1778. When in 1816 a question was asked about some existing statutes, a commission found that they only knew the following customs:
- Each new member pays a gold ducat.
- Target shooting has taken place every three years with the permission of the authorities .
- There was a royal ball on it.
- Whoever had the best shot at target shooting became king.
- Husher and Scheffer were elected every three years during the ball and publicly proclaimed as such.
The brotherhood also always had religious content, so the shooting brothers were "held under penalty", on the morning of the day on which the kings' shooting was held, a St. Mass with requests for the dead and "to save a calamity at target shooting" to attend.
Little King's Chains
1630: oldest label of the Königskette (obverse), King Henric Trippelvoett
1630: oldest label of the Königskette (back side), King Henric Trippelvoett
1674: Little King's Chain label (obverse), King Johan Herman Grenser
1674: Little King's Chain label (back), King Johan Herman Grenser
1713: Label of the Königskette (front), Prince-Bishop Franz Arnold von Wolff-Metternich to the canal
1713: Label of the Königskette (back), Prince-Bishop Franz-Arnold von Wolff-Metternich to the canal
1923: Small label of the chain of the sausage king or autumn king B. König, dentist
1930: The chain of the sausage and autumn king Pinkus Müller , brewer and restaurateur
1965: Little King's Chain label (front), Günter Hölscher
1980: Little King's Chain label (front), Heinz Goddemeier
1994: Little King's Chain label (front), Herbert Grünwald
2000: Little King's Chain label (front), Norbert Enste
The brotherhood today
The new statutes, which were approved by the general assembly on March 18, 1970, opened the fraternity in several ways. Since that time, members who do not live in the parish of Überwasser have also been accepted, so that now the rifle brothers from the now enlarged city of Munster also rally around the brotherhood's flag. It has also become a matter of course in the brotherhood that Evangelical Christians are accepted.
The defense against an external threat and thus the training in weapons is certainly no longer a task of the brotherhood today, but in view of the anonymity of society and many changes in values, the brotherhood is helpful, supportive and beneficial when working together. More or less close relationships have developed and friendships have been established and strengthened among the Sagittarius brothers and their families. As has always been the content of the old brotherhood idea, events, experiences and conversations deepen new and old personal ties.
The Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft is a member of the Federation of Historic German Shooting Brotherhoods and the Association of Rifle Clubs and Brotherhoods of the City of Münster e. V.
Structure and membership
Even today the first chairman of the brotherhood is called Aldermann. He is supported by the board with treasurer, secretary and shooting master. There is a deputy for every function, including the Aldermann. Five creators support the work of the board, especially in the preparation of events. The board of directors and workers are elected by the general meeting for three years. The preacher of the brotherhood is the pastor of the Catholic parish Liebfrauen-Überwasser Münster (Westphalia), who is also an honorary member of the brotherhood "qua office".
The general assembly decides on the admission of a new member, which can only be made on the recommendation of a long-term member. Only men can become active members of the Brotherhood. Exceptions: The widows of the deceased members remain passive members of the brotherhood.
Regulations
The current regulations are set out in the current statutes of the brotherhood of March 18, 1970. It defines the task of the brotherhood to cultivate the idea of home, customs and sociability in the Christian sense.
insignia
A small king's chain with the oldest 21 labels, five large king's chains with a total of 151 plaques (as of 2008) and a prince chain illustrate the long tradition of the brotherhood. Every king has a new plaque made in the royal year. In addition to these king chains, there is also the chain of the autumn king or sausage king with 73 plaques (as of 2008), which is only worn by the autumn king. The motif of the autumn king plaque must be related to the profession of the autumn king. As a further insignia, the brotherhood keeps a challenge cup from 1937, which is regularly used for the honor drink at the royal proclamation.
Events throughout the year
- Ham dinner (January)
- General meeting (spring)
- Participation in the pilgrimage of the shooting clubs and brotherhoods to Telgte
- King's shooting at a wooden bird in connection with the family festival (summer)
- Senior outing (summer)
- Summer party (barbecue) in the "Hofgarten" of the Ehrenaldermannes
- Participation in the Corpus Christi procession
- Participation in the city rifle festival
- Autumn excursion with autumn king shooting on a hidden target
- Weekend getaway of the shooting squad
- General meeting (autumn)
- Winter Ball (November)
swell
- Christina Aka: Origin and Development of Brotherhoods . in: Hans Galen (Hrsg.): Historical brotherhoods in Münster: Exhibition catalog City Museum Münster, February 26, 1993 to June 6, 1993 . - Münster City Museum, Münster, 1993.
- Bernhard Timmermann: The Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft . in: Hans Galen (Hrsg.): Historical brotherhoods in Münster: Exhibition catalog City Museum Münster, February 26, 1993 to June 6, 1993 . - Münster City Museum, Münster, 1993.
- 375 years of the Liebfrauen-Schützenbruderschaft Münster / Westphalia: Festschrift from 2005 (author: Festival Committee of the Brotherhood) with text repetitions from the Festschrift for the 325th anniversary (author: Dr. Joseph Prinz) and the 350th anniversary (author: Walter Werland )