# Endnotes explained — The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

> Chapter companion for The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. by Washington Irving.

## What happens

The endnotes provide supplementary references, translations, and contextual explanations for the main text, including a letter from Sir Walter Scott, historical notes on monuments and inscriptions, descriptions of Christmas traditions, and citations of various literary and historical sources.

## Themes in this chapter

### Literary Creation and Plagiarism

The endnotes include citations and references to Chaucer, Gower, Lydgate, and other writers, highlighting the lineage of English literary tradition.

### Memory and Monuments

The inscription for William Walworth and the Boar's Head epitaph serve as monuments preserving historical memory and moral lessons.

### Domesticity and Family

Scott's letter mentions his daughter Sophia and son Walter, reflecting family bonds and paternal care.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Walter Scott

Quoted in a letter regarding his daughter Sophia and his son Walter's military service.

### Miss Sophia Scott

Received American editions of her father's poems; mentioned in Scott's letter.

### William Walworth

Commemorated in an ancient inscription for slaying Jack Straw.

### Jack Straw

Mentioned as a rebel leader slain by William Walworth.

### Robert Preston

Honest tapster commemorated in an inscription at the Boar's Head.

### Bacchus

Referenced in the inscription for Robert Preston.

### Justice Shallow

Mentioned in connection with the ancient oath 'by cock and pie.'

### Herrick

Quoted for his poem on Twelfth Night and Lamb's Wool.

## Key lines

> In my hurry, I have not thanked you in Sophia's name for the kind attention which furnished her with the American volumes. I am not quite sure I can add my own, since you have made her acquainted with much more of papa's folly than she would ever otherwise have learned; for I had taken special care they should never see any of those things during their earlier years.

Scott humorously notes that while he appreciates the gift of his poems to his daughter, he had deliberately kept his works from her until she was older.

_Scott's letter reveals his protective attitude toward his children's exposure to his writings._

> Hereunder lyth a man of Fame, William Walworth callyd by name; Fishmonger he was in lyfftime here, And twise Lord Maior, as in books appere; Who, with courage stout and manly myght, Slew Jack Straw in Kyng Richard's sight.

The monument inscription commemorates William Walworth, a fishmonger and twice Lord Mayor, who bravely killed Jack Straw before King Richard.

_This inscription was destroyed in the Great Fire; Stowe corrected the error of confusing Jack Straw with Wat Tyler._

> Bacchus, to give the toping world surprise, Produced one sober son, and here he lies. Though rear'd among full hogsheads, he defy'd The charms of wine, and everyone beside.

The epitaph praises Robert Preston, a sober tapster who resisted the temptations of wine despite working among barrels.

_The inscription serves as a moral admonition for tapsters._

## Links

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