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William Tell

© Virginia Marin

The legendary national hero of Switzerland is William Tell. His deeds, thought to be a fabrication of the 15th-century, are paralleled in numerous European myths and legends...

I shot an arrow into the air
It fell to earth
I know not where. (Longfellow)

William Tell lived in Switzerland during medieval times. As his legend goes, he was the champion of the Swiss in the struggle against Albert I, Duke of Austria, who was slain in 1308. Tell refused to salute the badge of authority of Gessler, the town baliff, who was Albert's harsh and cruel steward.

For this misdemeanor, William Tell was sentenced to shoot an apple off the head of his young son with his bow and arrow. The evil baliff was sure that Tell would miss the small apple and kill his son instead which, to Gessler, would be punishment enough. William carefully aimed and let the arrow fly. It hit its mark and split the apple in half.

Gessler was beside himself that Tell has succeeded. Then, upon noticing a second arrow in William's quiver, he inquired of it. Tell boldly replied, "To shoot you with had I killed my son!"

In a fit of rage, Gessler had Tell dragged off to Kussnacht Castle. On the way, Tell was able to foil his captors escaping before his imprisonment. Gessler, unaware of this, let down his guard. One day as the evil baliff was riding his steed, he was ambushed and duly killed by William's arrow.

The people were thereafter fortified, revolted and secured their freedom from tyranny along with the independence of Switzerland.

Although the story has been thoroughly investigated, no shreds of fact have ever been found to support the feats of William Tell. Since most folklore is based on some fact, William Tell remains a flesh and blood hero.

Similar stories are found in the Norse legend of Loki. Tales of other legendary shots are Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough and William Cloudesley.

The best archers in British legend are all time favorites-- Robin Hood and his two companions, Little John and Will Scarlet. In the Angevin period, the famous archers of Henry II Plantagenet were Tepus, his bowman of the guards, Gilbert of the White Hind, Hubert of Suffolk and Clifton of Hampshire.

Of the Roman emperor Domitian, it is written that he could shoot four arrows between the spread of the fingers of a man's hand.

The legend of William Tell is alluded to in the Scandinavian tale of Egil, who at the command of King Nidung performed an exact feat.

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