William+Tell

William Tell

Swiss crossbow expert William Tell shot an apple off his son's head. (1307) After being accused of an affront against Albrecht Gessler, the ruler of his town of Altdorf, Tell was arrested. Gessler told him he either had to shoot an apple off his son's head or he and his son would be executed. When Tell set up the shot, he took out two crossbow bolts. After he successfully shot the apple off his son's head, Gessler asked him why he removed two bolts. Tell explained that had he missed and killed his son, he planned to kill him with the other.