Arnold von Melchtal

Who is Arnold von Melchtal?

Arnold von Melchtal, also spelt Melchthal and otherwise Arnold von der Halden, was one of the three Eidgenossen, the legendary founding fathers of Switzerland. He represented the Canton of Unterwalden at the Rütlischwur.

Aegidius Tschudi in his Chronicon Helveticum tells Arnold's story as follows:

At the beginning of the 14th century, Landenberger was Vogt of Obwalden for Habsburg. He was known for his cruelty, and enjoyed to torment his subordinates with cruel jests. One day, the Vogt Landenberger decided that Heinrich von Melchtal should forfeit his yoke of oxen, since he did not pay his taxes on time. He send out armed men to confiscate the oxen. When they arrived at the home of Heinrich von Melchtal, he and his son Arnold were right then plowing the meager fields they had. Heinrich tried to plead with the minions of the Vogt, arguing that he would need the oxen to plow, and if the oxen were indeed to be confiscated, he surely could not pay the taxes and would probably starve.

To this the was answered: "If you need to plow, you can have your son pull the plow".