Arnold of Winkelried

a heroic peasant of Switzerland. According to Swiss tradition he was a native of Unterwalden. At the battle of Sempach, 1386, the Austrians formed in a solid phalanx against the Swiss, who were unable to break through the forest of spear points. Arnold, seeing no other way, rushed up and gathering an armful of spears in his own breast, bore them aside. His countrymen rushing in through the gap thus formed put the Austrians to flight. Switzerland was again safe from foreign invaders. Mothers taught their children to honor the name of Arnold. For centuries the Swiss sentry pacing his lonely round called out at the appointed hour of his watch, "All is well, remember Arnold of Winkelried." As in the case of William Tell, historians reject the story as legendary. There is no more reason for believing in the Swiss Winkelried than in the Greek Hercules. See Tell; Switzerland