h and lose power, and the range was severely limited, so the Genoese found themselves in range of the English longbows well before they were themselves in range. The crossbowmen, holding no allegiance except wealth, turned and ran in panic. Philip VI then ordered his infantry to ride over and through their own crossbowmen, only to ride into the English longbows and infantry, and into their defeat. The French still call that day 'le desastre'. From the late 1300's on a full scale change in usage of the crossbow began. Numerous companies of citizen crossbowmen were formed in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries for the protection of their individual hamlets and towns. These societies held frequent competitions for the entertainment of the populus and the honor of their villages, but these were really just excuses to keep up practice for the day they were needed for defense. Many of these societies of skilled crossbowmen, such as the Company of St. George, were held superior in rank to other soldiers, as they were employed to guard the person of the Soverign in peace and war and at all state occasions. As such they were also granted rank, title and privelage and even landed estate. Etude sur les Anciennes Compagnies d'Archers, d'Arbaletriers, et d'Arquebusiers by L.A. Delaunay lists all known companies of crossbowmen that formally existed in France and Belgium. To close our time-line, it seems fitting to convey the tale of the Grand Lodge of Brussles and how the Archduchess Isabella became 'Queen of the Crossbowmen' by her own skill. The Archduchess was invited to the competition of the lodge in 1615, and as was her penchant, she sought entrance into this recreation. After taking aim for a short time, she let fly a bolt at the leather popinjay and pierced it, though it was set as high as a steeple. Amidst the applause she accepted the Kingship of the Confraternity, and was decorated with the honor on the altar of the Sablon Church. She t...
