William Tell. Image Source.
William Tell is a significant character in the legends of the Swiss Independence from the Hapsburg rule. Some even doubt he was a real character, yet he is known as the “Swiss National Hero of Liberty.” Tell is also famous for shooting an apple from his son’s head.
Here’s why:
The story goes that sometime around 1307, Gessler, a Hapsburg bailiff in Switzerland, wanted to see how loyal his subjects were so he put his hat in the town and declared that everybody must bow down to the hat. Most did, but William Tell thought this was absurd and did not bow to the hat. He also said that he would not even bow to Gessler in person. Gessler was furious at this and imprisoned him.
Knowing that Tell was a great hunter and marksman, Gessler challenged Tell to shoot an apple from atop his son’s head. Tell pleaded Gessler not to make him do it, but Gessler wouldn’t change his mind. Tell shot the apple off his son’s head without even scratching him!
William Tell shooting the apple from his son’s head. Image source.
Gessler noticed that Tell had an extra arrow in his jacket he asked Tell why he had an extra arrow, for he only needed one. Tell said that it was if his son was hurt, that he would’ve killed Gessler with it.
Gessler again was furious, and imprisoned Tell and chained him on a boat. A terrible storm arose, and the jailers freed Tell of his chains so he could bring them safely to land, since he was more familiar with the area.
When Tell safely reached land, he took his crossbow (some say a spear) and ran for his life. He was free once again!
Death of Gessler. Currier & Ives. Image Source.
Legend has it that Tell did finally kill Gessler with that other arrow, but the entire tale of William Tell is disputed by historians. Whether his life and deeds were fiction or not, we do know is that Tell’s tales aided in the Swiss Independence, and also in the revolutions of other countries, such as the French, Spanish and Russians.
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