A Biographical Note on William Tell

Authors

Heinrich Pantaleon
Richard Hacken, Translation and Commentary

Keywords

SAHS Review, William Tell, biography

Abstract

William Tell was born and raised in Uri, Switzerland. Due to his remarkable intellectual and physical capabilities, he quickly gained great respect among the local people. At the same time, Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg5 ruled the Holy Roman Empire with great success (1308-1313). He reaffirmed the privileges previously granted to the inner “Orte”6 of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, and even enhanced them with various additional immunities, bestowed upon them in Constance due to their commendable conduct. This occurred in the year 1309.7 Furthermore, he granted them the concession of not having to obey any prince except the emperor and of not being summoned before any judge except those appointed over them by Emperor Henry VII.

Recommended Citation

Pantaleon, Heinrich and Hacken, Richard (2024) "A Biographical Note on William Tell," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 60: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol60/iss1/4