# Endnotes explained — Lavengro > Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow. ## What happens The endnotes provide scholarly annotations and clarifications for the main text of Lavengro, including corrections, identifications of real persons and places, explanations of foreign phrases and allusions, and commentary on the autobiographical nature of the work. They also include a political statement from the author disavowing party affiliation and criticizing the Whig government of the time. ## Themes in this chapter ### Philology and Learning The endnotes are rich with philological corrections and explanations, including Armenian, Gypsy, Italian, and Welsh words, as well as references to Borrow's studies of languages and literatures. ### Religion and Priestcraft The notes discuss the abjuration of the Evangelical faith, the banished priest Tom of Hopton, and references to the Pope and Catholic establishments, highlighting religious themes. ### Social Class and Gentility The note on Parkinson the poet illustrates the lower social status of a provincial poet selling his muse to farmers and publicans, while the note on Earlham Hall references the gentry. ## Character check-ins ### George Borrow The author is referenced throughout the endnotes, with Knapp citing Borrow's Life and works. ### Mr. Parkinson Identified as a real poet named Parkerson, who wrote occasional verse for farmers and merchants in Norwich. ### The Priest Referenced in the note about Tom of Hopton (Thomas d'Éterville), a banished priest who made a fortune and bequeathed it to his relations. ### Ab Gwilym Mentioned in the note about the Welsh poet Dafydd ab Gwilym and his works. ### The Armenian Knapp notes that the Armenian in the chapter is correct, with some corrections to Borrow's Armenian words. ### Ursula Her song is referenced in a note, with a translation available via the Gypsy glossary. ## Key lines > solemnly abjured the Evangelical faith in the hands of the Legate, Giovan della Casa (see Dict. de Bayle) who required him to return home and repeat his abjuration before his fellow-townsmen and the local authorities. Francesco Spiera formally renounced his Evangelical beliefs before the papal legate Giovan della Casa, who ordered him to go home and publicly repeat the renunciation in front of his townspeople and local officials. _Knapp's note on Spiera's abjuration and subsequent remorse._ > As the present work will come out in the midst of a vehement political contest, people may be led to suppose that the above was written expressly for the time. The writer therefore begs to state that it was written in the year 1854. Because this book will be published during a heated political campaign, readers might think the passage was written for the current moment. The author wants to clarify that it was actually written in 1854. _Borrow's note disavowing any contemporary political intent, stating the passage was written in 1854._ > He cannot help adding that he is neither Whig, Tory, nor Radical, and cares not a straw what party governs England, provided it is governed well. He feels compelled to say that he belongs to no political party—Whig, Tory, or Radical—and does not care which party rules England, as long as the country is governed well. _Borrow's declaration of political independence and indifference to party politics._ > The Armenian in this chapter I find correct. 'Hramahyel' should have been given hramaïyel, 'hntal,' etc., khntal (χντάλ), and 'madagh,' madag. I find the Armenian in this chapter accurate, though 'Hramahyel' should be spelled 'hramaïyel,' 'hntal' should be 'khntal,' and 'madagh' should be 'madag.' _Knapp's correction of Borrow's Armenian transliterations._ > This favourite expression of Mr. Borrow's proceeds, I opine, from his readings in the quaint eighteenth century literature with which his library abounded. I believe Borrow's frequent use of the phrase 'hard-mouthed jade' comes from his extensive reading of 18th-century literature, which filled his library. _Knapp's speculation on the origin of Borrow's expression 'hard-mouthed jade.'_ > They take me for a fool; I am no fool. Leave to the Pope the fruits of my philology! Bah, bah! I do no such thing. I do like Monsieur Boileau. They think I'm a fool, but I'm not. Leave the results of my learning to the Pope? No, I won't do that. I'll follow Monsieur Boileau's example instead. _Knapp's note on Tom of Hopton's (Thomas d'Éterville's) dying words, refusing to bequeath his fortune to the Pope._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/endnotes - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters