Tell, William
The legendary national hero of Switzerland, whose deeds appear to be an invention of the 15th century and are paralleled in numerous European myths and legends.
The story is that Tell was the champion of the Swiss in the struggle against Albert II, Duke of Austria. Tell refused to salute the cap of Gessler, Albert's tyrannical steward and bailiff of Uri, and for his act of independence was sentenced to shoot with his bow and arrow an apple on the head of his own son. He achieved this feat and Gessler demanded what his second arrow was for, whereupon Tell boldly replied: 'To shoot you with, had I killed my son.'
Gessler had Tell conveyed to Küssnacht castle, but he escaped on the way and later killed Gessler in ambush. A rising followed which established the independence of Switzerland.
The story has been systematically exposed as having no foundation in fact, and similar feats are recorded in the Norse legend of Toki. The popularity of tales of the 'master shot' is evidence by the stories of Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, Egil and William of Cloudeslie.
See William Tell: One Against an Empire [A Swiss Legend], Wilhelm Tell (German Literary Classics in Translation), William Tell Told Again, The Legend of William Tell (Bantam Little Rooster Book), King Arthur, Glastonbury, Camelot, Lyonesse, Ivanhoe, Robin Hood, Mystic Gifts and Charms - New Age Gift Shop & Wicca and Pagan Supplies, Love Spells -- Use these powerful love spells to help you find and keep your true love, The Tarot Store, The Chakra Store, Divination & Scrying Tools and Supplies, Unique Amulets, Talismans, Good Luck Charms, and Love Tokens, Powerful Witch Doctor Spell Kits, Powerful Spells - Cast by Andreika the Witch, Webmasters Make $$$, AzureGreen - Celebrating All Paths to the Divine, ISIS - Tools for Your Soul's Journey, and The Pyramid Collection - Myth, Magick, Fantasy and Romance.
Sources: Article is scheduled to be reviewed.
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