42. Switzerland, folklore, Wilhelm Tell, circa 1291

The ancient documents that existed in the Swiss lands were copied by Scribe Hans Schriber in 1474 A.D., into The White Book of Sarnen.  The White Book is as close to the ancient events as anyone will discover.  Since Schriber recorded all the important historical treaties and events up to that time, and he included Wilhelm Tall (or Tell) in the White Book;  it is my readers' prerogative and option whether or not to believe that Wilhelm Tell existed, simply because the events of his memorable life were recorded by an expert scribe who, however, was not a witness to the events 183 years previous.

In my elementary school days, from books and from our teachers, we were taught that William Tell of Switzerland was an icon of liberty and freedom of the individual, and by extension, democracy and good government.   We never doubted that he existed, although we understood that he was idealized to the point of being mythical. 

On the other hand, nowadays, so much brilliant knowledge and breathtaking information is accessible to the average person, through the Internet.    New technology progresses steadily forward, making the old things obsolete.   Inventors always build on the best, you know, and create better technology that makes life easier, more sensible and convenient for us users.   We forget the old ways, traditions and legends.   They have been superseded by new stuff which has an extremely short track history;   but which, as I have established with prejudice, is far better than the old.   

That's the status of William Tell.   Only a few old-fashioned sorts would admit to arguing on his behalf. 

In approximately 1291 William Tell, a heroic Swiss man (or legend), performed both good and evil deeds.   He both obeyed and defied the evil foreign ruler of his time (namely, Gessler of Hapsburg fame).   Depending on the point of view of the person watching (all down the centuries), either obedience or defiance could be considered a good deed.    He defied authority (bad deed to authority -- good deed to the common folk) by not bowing down and worshiping the hat of the ruler.   Yes, that's right, a hat.  It was hung on a pole in the town square, and all who passed it were to bow down to it.    As punishment for his defiance, the authority demanded of Wilhelm that he endanger the life of, and possibly kill, his own son.  He was to shoot, with crossbow and arrow, an apple off his son's head (definitely an evil deed enforced by an evil ruler).    Wilhelm, however, was so skilled and good an archer and marksman, that he accomplished both obedience (good deed) and defiance (bad deed) in one exquisite shot (good deed) of an arrow, hitting the apple and sparing his son's life.    In doing so, he made life symbolically better for his fellow Swiss compatriots, perhaps not in the short term, but certainly by taking a stand for liberty by -- his last bad deed -- murdering the evil foreign ruler.   

That is the long and short of the tale of William Tell.   He equalized the good and bad pretty well.  

Whether or not Wilhelm actually existed, existed but had a different name, performed courageous deeds that his neighbors could not do, or discouraged his enemy;  the least we can say about him is that the story of Wilhelm was recognized by the scribe Hans Schriber as worth writing down.