Switzerland: William Tell

Switzerland: William Tell

by M.-Christine Haller Aellig, Switzerland

Brutus erat nobis, Uro in arvo,

Assertor patriae, vindex ultorque tyrannum.

Henricus Glareanus, Helvetiae Descriptio (1514)

Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden –the Waldstaetten – are the cradle of the Swiss Confederation. At the end of the 13th century indeed citizens of these regions are supposed to have pronounced the Rütli[1]Oath. Their alliance was formulated in the Federal Pact, traditionally dated August 1st, 1291.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the ensuing disorders, the territories which would later form German Swiss cantons went through many vicissitudes before being subordinated to the Habsburgs, a house native from Aargau (northern part of modern Switzerland) incorporated at the time in the Holy Roman Empire. In the last quarter of the 13th century the Habsburgs extended their influence to the south-eastern part of the Empire: Austria. When the Duke of Austria acceded to emperorship, the relations between the alpine regions of the Waldstaetten and the Holy Empire were deeply transformed. Up to that time the “Swiss” who depended directly on the Emperor had enjoyed special privileges that the Habsburgs then suppressed because they were interested in taking advantage and making profits of the opening of the alpine passes to traffic. More particularly in that case, the military and trade route over St. Gotthard. Governors (Vögte) representing the Austrian power were imposed on those regions. Some of them soon handled the population tyrannically. Autochthones that claimed their rights and liberties rose up[2].

In this context appears William[3] Tell, the national hero that the Swiss humanist Glareanus compares with Brutus, the liberator and avenger of the tyrants. If William Tell is regarded as the liberator of his homeland, usually he is not counted among the founders of the Old Confederation. No document of that time mentions his name or existence. Doubtless he never existed as such, but his character crystallized because of the successful independence struggles of the Waldstaetten against the Duke of Austria.

Transmitted orally at the beginning, the legend of William Tell appears first in popular literature in the Ballad of Tell (Tellenlied) in the middle of the 15th century and in a theatre adaptation of the story some years later (first known performance in 1512). Around the same period (1470) the White Book of Sarnen (dasWeisse Buch von Sarnen) mentions William Tell; his name also appearsin theChronicon Helveticum by Aegidius Tschudi seventy years later. All those texts are written in the vernacular language of this part of the country (German). Other humanists refer to the heroic actions of William Tell in Latin; either they write immediately in Latin, or they translate German texts into Latin.

The traditional actions of William Tell are set at three moments in time. The central part – the shooting of the apple off Tell’s son’s head – sounds more like a legend than like an authentic fact. Actually several Nordic sagas and other legends tell about a famous marksman compelled to prove his skill in dramatic conditions. The episode that probably is the most akin to the shooting of the apple by William Tell is to be found in the Gesta Danorum, a chronicle written around 1200 by Saxo Grammaticus. Very seemingly travellers from the North, resting for a while at the bottom of the St. Gotthard before crossing the Alps to Italy told their legends that found there a fertile ground and prospered.

So much for the myth. The two other parts of the text and the story itself,William Tell personifying the struggles for liberty and the murder of the tyrant, have been successful for a long time. After the fights and the enlargement of the Confederation in the 16th century, William Tell was again up to date in the 18th century[4]. He and the other heroes of the Old Confederation were celebrated as ideal historical figures, fighters for human rights, representatives of republican virtues not only in Switzerland but also in France, where at the time of the Revolution Telljoined again Brutus and other Roman tyrannicides and heroes of liberty in the revolutionary pantheon. At the very end of the 18th century, during the struggles for independence in America, a play about William Tell was performed in Philadelphia! Soon after, in 1804 the German poet Friedrich Schiller made William Tell the hero of the eponymous drama: a man close to nature, active, loving liberty but bound with his compatriots in their fight against tyranny[5]. That inspired Gioacchino Rossini’s opera Guillaume Tell created in Paris in 1829.

In Switzerland the Tell iconography from the Middle Ages up to now is very rich. Let us mention only two among the most famous Tells: the Tell monument by Richard Kissling (1895) in Altdorf, the capital of canton Uri and Tell’s homeland, and the painting by Ferdinand Hodler (1897) which is very popular and represented everywhere in every context. In the 21st century the 5franc Swiss coin is still adorned with the effigy of William Tell!

Josias Simler[6] (Simlerus, 1530 –1576),De Republica Helvetiorum, 58 sqq.

Tellii historia

Caeterum <Grislerus1> cum animos omnium exasperatos2 et a se alienatos3 esse cerneret, metuens occultam aliquam conspirationem, ut eam investigare4 posset, hoc consilio usus est. Altorffi5 in foro, quo maxima hominum totius regionis frequentia convenire solet, pileum6 praelongae perticae7 imponit ac omnes iubet, nudato capite flexisque genubus, honorem eum pileo exhibere quo se praesentem afficere8 consuevissent: existimabat autem eos qui prae ceteris9 sibi infensi essent nequaquam adduci posse ut tantum honorem pileo exhibeant, praesertim si confidant aliorum auxiliis quibuscum convenerint; hac autem occasione posse se honesto titulo10 in eos animadvertere et tormentis ad exploranda consilia aliquos subiicere.
(…)Interea accidit apud Urios11 ut Vuilhelmus Tellius, confoederatorum12 unus, aliquoties pileum illum stipiti13 impositum praeteriret, nullo reverentiae14 et honoris signo exhibito. Ob hanc causam a praefecto15 accusatus, suam rusticitatem excusabat16, qui non existimasset ullius hoc momenti17 esse. Sed praefectus, qui hominem suspectum haberet18, e liberis eius filiolum unice charum19 patri deligit et in vertice20 huius pomum21 sagitta petere illum iubet (erat enim Tellius optimus sagittarius), ni illud deiiciat, capite poenas daturum. Tellius vero hanc rem inauditi exempli22 dicere, seque potius mori paratum quam ut sagitta forte aberrante charissimum filiolum feriat23. Cui praefectus: “Ni ieceris, tibi una cum filiolo pereundum erit.” Quare cum nullus excusationi aut ullis precibus locus relictus esset, arcu24 sumpto, Tellius, Deo haud dubie iactum gubernante, pomum e vertice filii deiicit. Omnibus autem felici iactui gratulantibus, unus praefectus satiari25 hac poena non potuit; verum cum sagittam alteram thoraci26 Tellii insertam27 cerneret, quaerit in quem usum hanc quoque e pharetra28 deprompserit29. Cui ille, id moris esse et in consuetudine sagittariorum positum, ut geminas sagittas depromant. Sed res praefecto suspecta30 erat, itaque hominem acrius urget et tandem, vitae impunitate31 illi proposita, verum elicit32: eum scilicet hoc consilio sumpsisse alteram sagittam, ut si priore filium feriisset, secunda praefectum peteret. Tum vero praefectus se quidem, uti33 promiserit, vitam illi non erepturum esse inquit, caeterum coniecturum in perpetuos carceres, ubi omni hominum alloquio34 ac lucis usu privatus, miseram in tenebris vitam degat35; simulque vinctum navi imponi iubet, ut eum ex Uriorum regione Cussenacum36 abducat.
Iamque medio lacu navigabant, cum subito gravis tempestas navim concutere37 et fluctibus paene obruere38 coepit. Ibi cum in summo vitae discrimine39 omnes versarentur40, quidam e servis41 Grisleri monet dominum unicam salutis spem superesse, si vinctus Tellius solvatur et gubernaculo42 adhibeatur: hunc enim navigandi peritissimum esse et simul quoque robore corporis multum pollere43. Necessitate urgente omnes id consilium probant ac Tellium solvunt. Ille vero, gubernaculo sumpto, vix multa vi e fluctibus navem eripit et eam adversus Suitiorum44 terram dirigit, quo loco non multum a litore ingens saxum supra undas eminet45 (Tellii saxum hodie nuncupant46). Huic cum appropinquasset, arrepto arcu suo (forte pone47 ipsum in puppi iacebat), in saxum hoc desilit48 et simul, quanto maximo potest nisu49, navim pedibus in fluctus repellit atque inde se fuga in proximos montes proripit50. Navis vero diu fluctuans51 tandem a servis praefecti portui quem Brunnam52 a fontibus nominant appellitur53. Inde cum praefectus Cussenacum peteret et illi inter Artam54 et Cussenacum via quadam profunda55 iter faciendum esset, Tellius locorum peritus, ea commoditate56 captata, illuc se abdidit inter fruteta57 et praetereuntem praefectum sagitta conficit. Extat58 nostra aetate sacellum59 eo loco quo praefectus caesus est et alterum in saxo in quod Tellius e navi desilit, perpetua rei gestae monumenta. / 1. Grislerus, i,m.: name of the Austrian governor (praefectus,i, m./ German: Vogt), today known as Gessler 2. exasperare: to irritate 3. alienare: to alienate
4. investigare: to find
5. Altorffum, i,n.: Altdorf (name of a place in Uri)
6. pileus, i,m.: hat 7. pertica, ae,f.: perch, pole
8. aliquem honore afficere: to pay one’s respect to, to honour
9. prae ceteris: more than the others
10. titulus, i,m.: pretext
11. Urii, orum,m.: people of Uri
12. confoederatus, i,m.: confederate (some people of the region were joined in a league in order to resist the tyranny of Gessler and to get their independence) 13. stipiti cf. perticae
14. reverentia, ae,f.: respect 15. praefecto i.e. Gessler
16. suam rusticitatem excusare: to plead as an excuse for his peasant habits
17. momentum, i,n.: importance
18. aliquem suspectum habere: to suspect someone19. charum = carum
20. vertice = capite21. pomum, i,n.: apple
22. <esse> inauditi exempli: to be of unheard severity
23. ferire: to strike
24. Traditionally Tell who was not a soldier but a huntsman used a crossbow. At that time that kind of weapon was extremely precise from a distance of 30 to 80 meters.
25. satiari: to be sated
26. thorax, cis,m.: waistcoat 27. insero, is, ere, ui, tum: to put in
28. pharetra, ae,f.: quiver
29. depromo, is, ere, psi, ptum: to draw out
30. suspectus, a, um: suspicious
31. vitae impunitas, atis,f.: immunity
32. elicio, is, ere: to coax
33. uti = ut
34. alloquium, i,n.: talk
35. degat = agat
36. Cussenacum, i,n.: Küssnacht, a place where Gessler had his castle
37. concutere: to agitate violently
38. obruere: to overwhelm, to ruin
39.discrimen, inis,n.: danger
40.versarentur = essent
41.servus, -i, m.: servant, assistant
42.gubernaculum, i,n.: helm
43. pollere: to be strong
44. Suitii, orum,m.: people of Schwyz
45. emineo, es, -ere: to stand out
46. nuncupant = vocant
47. pone + acc.: behind
48. desilire: to jump 49. nisus, us,m.: effort
50. se proripere: to rush forth
51. fluctuans, tis: being agitated in the waves 52. Brunna, ae,f.: Brunnen, a lakeside place (in German Brunnen means fons) 53. appello, is, ere: to put ashore
54. Arta, ae,f.: Arth, a place at the southern end of LakeZug55. via quadam profunda: this very deep and narrow path where they had to pass was and is still called die Hohle Gasse in German 56. commoditas, atis,f.: advantage 57. frutetum, i,n.: bush 58. extare: to exist 59. sacellum, i,n.: chapel

Questions and Tasks:

1. Search for and locate the following places on Google Earth:

a.Switzerland and LakeLucerne (Vierwaldstaettersee) b.Cantons Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden (= Obwalden + Nidwalden) c.The St. Gotthard Pass (search for the main road from the end of the lake, and follow over the Alps as far as Airolo.d. Altdorf and Tell’s Monument e. Bürglen and Tell’s House f. Tell’s Rock and Chapel near Sisikon g.The Rütli Meadow on the opposite side of the lake h. The port of Brunnen i. Küssnacht and Gessler’s castle j. Die Hohle Gasse and the Chapel between Küssnacht and Arth.

1. Download and copythe Apple Episode in Saxo Grammaticus’ Gesta Danorum (10, 7, 2-3) from The bold archer Toko, hero of the story, was compelled by his lord, King Harald, to shoot an apple off his son’s head (10, 7, 1).

Then answer the following questions:

a.Saxo writes the history of the Danes, and Simler that of the Swiss. Is their manner the same in this passage?b.Compare how Toko and Tell prepare their sons for the ordeal. Who is more careful? Explain.c.Is there any difference in the archers’ material?d.Compare both boys and both fathers. How old do you think they are? Justify your answer.e.What do we know precisely of the boys’ sentiments and qualities at the moment?f.Now consider Saxo’s opinion, expressed in a very balanced way, and find out the qualities that Saxo attributes to the father and to the son. Which term sums up the boy’s attitude? What is the consequence of this attitude for father and son?

1. Grammar: a.Explain the use ofthe subjunctive in the followingclauses:1. sed praefectus, qui hominem suspectum haberet, e liberis eius filiolum unice charum patri deligit.2. praefectus quaerit in quem usum hanc quoque e pharetra deprompserit b.Explain the use of the infinitive in the following cases: 1.Omnes iubet honorem eum pileo exhibere quo se praesentem afficere consuevissent.2. Tellius vero hanc rem inauditi exempli dicere. 3. Quidam e servis Grisleri monet dominum unicam salutis spem superesse, si vinctus Tellius solvatur et gubernaculo adhibeatur: hunc enim navigandi peritissimum esse.c. Explain the use of the Gerundive and Gerund in the following cases: 1.… et tormentis ad exploranda consilia aliquos subiicere.2. … hunc enim navigandi peritissimum esse.3.Illi inter Artam et Cussenacum via quadam profunda iter faciendum esset.

[1]Name of a meadow above LakeLucerne (Vierwaldstaettersee in German). Lucerne joined the alliance in 1332.

[2] Around 1420 the Bernese chronicle writer Konrad Justinger refers to the despotism and abuses of power of the Austrian governors without mentioning William Tell.

[3]Wilhelm in German, Guillaume in French, Guglielmo in Italian, and Guglielm in Romansh, our four languages.

[4]– and each time when independence and liberty must be reaffirmed up to now.

[5]Tellspiele (the play by Schilleractually) regularly staged either in open air as in Interlaken at the bottom of the Alps and near a lakeor inside as inAltdorf in the Tellspielhaus are very popular with Swiss and foreign tourists.

[6] Simler ( was interested in making known his native country and translated from German into Latin (the language of educated people all over Europa) parts of the Great Chronicle of Johannes Stumpf: Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, Landen und Voelckeren Chronick wirdiger thaaten Beschreybung(1548). Simler had a vast plan of which the De Helvetiorum Republica is a fragment.