 Picture source: Wikipedia |
November
18th, the anniversary of the split of the apple
On 18 November 1307, William Tell split the fruit on the head of his son with a single bolt from his crossbow. This act happened on the market-place of Altdorf (CHE). You can still see a fine bronze statue by Richard Kissling of Zurich of Tell and his son at the market place of Altdorf. But what was the cause again of this famous story? The historical story is that the newly appointed Austrian Vogt of Altdorf, raised a pole in the village's central square, hung his hat on top of it, and demanded that all the local townsfolk bow before the hat. When Tell passed by the hat without bowing to it, he was arrested. He received the punishment of being forced to shoot an apple off the head of his son, Walter, or else both would be executed. Tell had been promised freedom if he successfully shot the apple. He did. He would shoot Voght Gessler in Küssnacht where Gessler had his castle later on. Check out the complete tour of William Tell |