# Endnotes explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

The chapter consists of endnotes providing historical and explanatory references for the main text, including a note on Mazarin's secret marriage to Anne of Austria, a reference to The Three Musketeers, a mention of a secret passage in the Palais Royal, a definition of a sacerdotal officer, a description of the poire d'angoisse gag, and an explanation of the sandy hills near Dunkirk.

## Character check-ins

### Mazarin

Referenced in the endnote about his secret marriage to Anne of Austria.

### Anne of Austria

Referenced in the endnote about her secret marriage to Mazarin.

## Key lines

> It is said that Mazarin, who, though a cardinal, had not taken such vows as to prevent it, was secretly married to Anne of Austria.

Mazarin, despite being a cardinal, did not take vows that forbade marriage, and he is rumored to have secretly wed Anne of Austria.

_Endnote referencing La Porte's Memoirs._

> This poire d’angoisse was a famous gag, in the form of a pear, which, being thrust into the mouth, by the aid of a spring, dilated, so as to distend the jaws to their greatest width.

The 'poire d'angoisse' was a pear-shaped device inserted into the mouth that expanded via a spring, forcing the jaws wide open.

_Explanation of a historical torture device._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters