# Endnotes explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

The endnotes provide historical commentary and clarifications on events and characters in the novel, including the Battle of Culloden, the character of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the death of Colonel Gardiner, the fate of Balmawhapple, the legal concept of 'letters of slains,' and Scott's own attitudes toward the supernatural, particularly the 'Bodach Glas' apparition.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Duty

The endnotes discuss Lord Elcho's exhortation to Prince Charles to charge and die with honor, and the conflicting views on the Prince's courage and duty at Culloden.

### Supernatural and Mysticism

The note on the 'Bodach Glas' explores Scott's personal experiences and attitudes toward ghosts and the supernatural, including his own eerie encounter near Ashiesteil.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Charles Edward Stuart

Discussed in endnotes regarding his conduct at Culloden, his character, and his amiable disposition as recorded by James Maxwell of Kirkconnell.

### Colonel Gardiner

His death at the Battle of Prestonpans is described, with a quotation from Doddridge's account.

### Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple

Noted as an imaginary character, but a real gentleman of similar courage fell at Preston in the manner described.

### Baron of Bradwardine

Referenced in the note on 'letters of slains,' explaining that Ballenkeiroch accepted assythment and thus has no blood-feud with the Baron.

### Edward Waverley

Mentioned indirectly in the context of the 'Bodach Glas' apparition, which appears in the novel.

## Key lines

> It is averred in Johnstone’s Memoirs that Charles Edward left the field of Culloden without doing the utmost to dispute the victory; and, to give the evidence on both sides, there is in existence the more trustworthy testimony of Lord Elcho, who states that he himself earnestly exhorted the Prince to charge at the head of the left wing, which was entire, and retrieve the day or die with honour.

Johnstone's Memoirs claim Charles Edward did not fight to the last at Culloden, but Lord Elcho's more reliable account says he urged the Prince to lead a charge and either win or die honorably.

_Contrasting accounts of the Prince's conduct at Culloden._

> The author is far from claiming for this unfortunate person the praise due to splendid talents; but he continues to be of opinion that at the period of his enterprise he had a mind capable of facing danger and aspiring to fame.

The author does not credit Charles Edward with great talents, but believes he was courageous and ambitious during his campaign.

_Scott's balanced assessment of Prince Charles Edward's character._

> I remember when a child, sitting on his grave, where the grass long grew rank and green, distinguishing it from the rest of the field.

As a child, I sat on the grave of the gentleman killed at Preston, which was marked by unusually lush grass.

_Personal recollection of the grave of a Jacobite officer._

## Links

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