Tell, William

Tell, William (14th century), Swiss hero.

The story of William Tell is related in a history of Switzerland by Johannes von Muller published in 1786 but today no one is sure whether it is true.

He is said to have lived at a time when Switzerland was ruled by the Duke of Austria.

The Duke's hat was set up on a pole in the market place of Tell's home town and everyone was ordered to bow before it. Tell refused.

As a punishment the Governor ordered him to place an apple on his son's head and try to split it with an arrow from his crossbow. Tell did so but afterwards was sentenced to prison for being rude to the Governor. He escaped, killed the Governor and later helped the Swiss to drive the Austrians out of Switzerland.