William (sometimes spelled Wilhelm) Tell is said to have lived in the early 14th century in the canton, or political division of Uri, Switzerland. The Gotthard Pass had recently opened making trans-alpine trade much easier. The Hapsburg emperors of Vienna had sent a new bailiff, Herman Gessler to govern the canton of Uri in an attempt to control the trade route.
In an attempt to force the people into subservience and allegiance, Gessler erected a pole in the centre of the village square and placed his hat on top of the pole. He decreed that the townsfolk pay homage to the hat by bowing as they passed.
The Arrest of William Tell
William Tell and his son lived in a nearby hamlet called Burglen. One day while visiting Uri, William Tell passed the pole without bowing to the hat. Some versions of the tale say he was engrossed in conversation with his son and didn't notice the pole. Other versions say that he deliberately refused to bow as he crossed the square. Tell was arrested, and his punishment for failing to comply with Gessler's decree was execution.
Herman Gessler had heard stories of William Tell's prowess and marksmanship with the crossbow and decided to see for himself if the tales were true. Gessler ordered that Tell's son be tied to a tree and an apple placed on the boy's head. He then instructed Tell to fire a crossbow arrow at the apple. If Tell refused to do as Gessler ordered both he and his son would be executed, if Tell was successful and hit the apple he would win his freedom.
WIlliam Tell and the Apple
Slowly, William Tell removed two arrows from his quiver, he placed one in his belt, the other he positioned in his bow before taking aim and firing. The crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle broke into rapturous applause as the first arrow split the apple balanced on the boy's head.
Astounded at what he had witnessed, Gessler asked Tell why he had removed two arrows from his quiver. Tell replied that if he had hit his son, he would have fired the second arrow at Gessler. Furious, Gessler went back on his word and ordered Tell to be bound and placed in his boat to take him to Gessler's castle at Kussnacht.
WIlliam Tell Escapes
While crossing Lake Lucerne a violent storm arose. The crew of the boat were terrified and begged Gessler to release Tell in order that he could steer the boat to safety. At last Gessler agreed and Tell was released. Taking control of the boat, Tell steered towards a large overhanging rock which he grabbed as the boat passed, pulling himself to safety and freedom. Gessler demanded that the anchor be dropped and that he and his men gave chase, promising that Tell and his entire family would be executed, at which point an arrow entered Gessler's heart, killing him instantly. Inspired by William Tell's bravery the townsfolk of Uri rebelled against the Hapsburg tyrants and overthrew them allowing the canton to live in peace and freedom from that day forward.
Sources:
- Middle-ages.org
- History-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/william-tell-switzerland-hero.html
- William Tell National Hero of Switzerland-.ch/schweiz/william-tell.html
- William Tell, Switzerland Guide, Switzerlandisyours.com
- Collins English Dictionary
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