What were the schutterij companies and why were they originally formed?

Question

a) The schutterij were originally created as municipal militias in the sixteenth century, but by the time of The Night Watch, they had become largely social and political clubs.
b) The schutterij were organizations that originally included only noble elite who supported the Spanish Duke of Alba. By the 1640s, they were largely bankrupt Catholic clubs pining for the old days.
Consider This: What does the description of the various figures in The Night Watch say about their activities? See 2.5: Narrative: Shooters and Painters.
c) The schutterij were originally the personal guard of Dutch princes, but by 1642 they had been reorganized as crack musket companies along the lines set out by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.
Consider This: What does the description of the various figures in The Night Watch say about their activities? See 2.5: Narrative: Shooters and Painters.
d) The schutterij were medieval guilds of artists who painted municipal group portraits. By the 1640s, individual artists could take commissions without regard to guild regulations.
Consider This: What does the description of the various figures in The Night Watch say about their activities? See 2.5: Narrative: Shooters and Painters.

Answer 1

a) The schutterij were originally created as municipal militias in the sixteenth century, but by the time of The Night Watch, they had become largely social and political clubs.