<Tr> <Td> Old woman </Td> <Td> Woman who identifies Van Winkle when he returns to the village after his sleep . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Peter Vanderdonk </Td> <Td> The oldest resident of the village, who confirms Van Winkle's identity and cites evidence indicating Van Winkle's strange tale is true . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mr. Gardenier </Td> <Td> Judith Gardenier's husband, a farmer and crabby villager . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rip Van Winkle III </Td> <Td> Rip Van Winkle's infant grandchild; his mother is Judith Gardenier . </Td> </Tr>

What role does history play in rip van winkle