who is William Tell?

Question

is he sum english legend or what? where can i find more bout him?

Answer 1

Anna.....

He was a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)

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 bailiff, 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 bailiff 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!"


Below is a website that will give you more info....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell

Answer 2

William Tell was a Nordic hero, who was appropriated by the Swiss to create the legend of their first freedom fighter and HERO!
(Just as a curious byway: had the Austrians won the ensuing battles, Tell would now be known as a terrorist and criminal, who was justly executed by the winning powers. Ring a bell?)
The story goes that he had to shoot an apple from his son’s (Walter) head with an arrow (from a crossbow). He had a second arrow in his hand. With it he would have shot Gessler, had he not hit the apple (sorry, I don’t know the name of the apple!)
He was caught and led to Altdorf on a boat. In a storm he jumped from the boad and finally shot Gessler in the Hohle Gasse.

These events led to a general uprising, a revolt against the hated Austrian lords and suppressors. Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden were the first three counties that united against the foreign rulers. They communicated the beginning of this revolt by huge bonfires from hilltop to hilltop.
Therefore the Swiss National Day is still celebrated with huge fires on August 1 every year.
That’s the story of the origin of today’s Switzerland.


You are welcome!

Answer 3

To answer your last question first, yes you can find out more about him. Try: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell
No, despite the English-sounding name, William Tell was not English. He was from in or around Altdorf, Switzerland. So his story is in fact a Swiss legend. His story is well-known, and is worth reading about.

Answer 4

National hero of Switzerland (though legendary rather than historical), supposedly he defied the then Austrian overlords and was forced to shoot an apple away from the head of his little son with a crossbow - which he did without harming him.

Answer 5

William Tell (German: Wilhelm Tell; French: Guillaume Tell; Italian: Guglielmo Tell) was a legendary hero of disputed historical authenticity who is said to have lived in the Canton of Uri in Switzerland in the early 14th century.

more at site

Answer 6

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Answer 7

You mean who was William Tell, he was Swiss and he shot an apple of his sons head with a crossbow.