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'''William Tell''' (c.13<sup>th</sup>–14<sup>th</sup> centuries) | [[File:Wilhelm tell denkmal.jpg|thumb|William Tell and his son, William Tell monument, Altdorf]] | ||
'''William Tell''' (c.13<sup>th</sup>–14<sup>th</sup> centuries) was a legendary Swiss patriot and hero from the canton of Uri who defied tyrannical Austrian rule. | |||
== His life == | |||
Historically, the official founding of the Swiss Confederation occurred in 1291, when representatives of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden (later known as the forest cantons) banded together to form the Everlasting League—a defense alliance to protect against the encroachments of the powerful Hapsburgs. The story of their valiant struggle for independence is linked in Swiss tradition with the much-loved figure of William Tell. | Historically, the official founding of the Swiss Confederation occurred in 1291, when representatives of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden (later known as the forest cantons) banded together to form the Everlasting League—a defense alliance to protect against the encroachments of the powerful Hapsburgs. The story of their valiant struggle for independence is linked in Swiss tradition with the much-loved figure of William Tell. | ||
According to popular accounts, the Austrian bailiff Gessler, in 1307, placed his hat on a stake in the main square of Altdorf and ordered that all who passed by bow before it in deference to Austrian sovereignty. This is typical of the [[Luciferian]]s, the mark of pride. It is not the mark of the humble ones, the sons and daughters of God that have the [[divine right of kings]]. Tell refused to do so and was placed under arrest by the Austrian authorities. To punish Tell, the governor made him shoot an apple off his own son’s head with a bow and arrow. Tell successfully performed the feat but declared that, had he missed, he would have sent a second arrow through Gessler’s heart. | According to popular accounts, the Austrian bailiff Gessler, in 1307, placed his hat on a stake in the main square of Altdorf and ordered that all who passed by bow before it in deference to Austrian sovereignty. This is typical of the [[Luciferian]]s, the mark of pride. It is not the mark of the humble ones, the sons and daughters of God that have the [[divine right of kings]]. Tell refused to do so and was placed under arrest by the Austrian authorities. To punish Tell, the governor made him shoot an apple off his own son’s head with a bow and arrow. Tell successfully performed the feat but declared that, had he missed, he would have sent a second arrow through Gessler’s heart. | ||
The pride of the bailiff was enraged, and he ordered that Tell be thrown in the dungeon | The pride of the bailiff was enraged, and he ordered that Tell be thrown in the dungeon. As he was being transported to the castle, a storm broke over the Lake of Lucerne. Gessler said that he would release Tell on the condition that he guide the boat to shore. Tell did so, but he also escaped. Knowing that his life would not be safe as long as the Gessler lived, he hid in ambush until the bailiff approached his castle and killed him with an arrow through the heart. | ||
When news of this event reached the Swiss, they rose in rebellion against the Austrians, and after many decades of hard struggle, secured their independence. His was the act of courage that sparked the rebellion, and therefore he is fondly remembered throughout Switzerland as one of the most important figures of their independence movement. He lost his life in a flood trying to save a | When news of this event reached the Swiss, they rose in rebellion against the Austrians, and after many decades of hard struggle, secured their independence. His was the act of courage that sparked the rebellion, and therefore he is fondly remembered throughout Switzerland as one of the most important figures of their independence movement. He lost his life in a flood trying to save a child from drowning. | ||
== Spiritual significance == | == Spiritual significance == | ||