Transcriber’s Notes:
The original spelling, hyphenation, and punctuation have been retained,
with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been
corrected.
Text in Italics is indicated between _underscores_.
Text in small capitals has been replaced by regular uppercase text.
Superscripts are indicated by a single caret (^) followed by the
superscripted text between curly braces { and }.
Columbia University
STUDIES IN ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND
LITERATURE
TIRANT LO BLANCH
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS SALES AGENTS
NEW YORK
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TIRANT LO BLANCH
A STUDY OF ITS AUTHORSHIP
PRINCIPAL SOURCES AND HISTORICAL
SETTING
BY
JOSEPH A. VAETH, PH.D.
INSTRUCTOR IN ROMANCE LANGUAGES
IN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
[Illustration]
New York
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS
1918
_All rights reserved_
Copyright, 1918
BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS
Printed from type, May, 1918
_Approved for publication, on behalf of the Department of Romance
Languages and Literatures of Columbia University._
HENRY ALFRED TODD
NEW YORK, December, 1917.
TO
PROFESSOR RAYMOND WEEKS
WHOSE ENTHUSIASM, SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVOTION TO FRANCE
HAVE BEEN OF SUCH FAR-REACHING INFLUENCE IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY OF
ROMANCE LANGUAGES IN AMERICA,
THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED
PREFACE
On my return to Columbia University in the fall of 1914 for the purpose
of continuing my studies, I consulted Professor H.A. Todd in regard to
available subjects for a doctoral dissertation. In the course of our
conversation he called my attention to a large volume which had been
presented to him by Mr. Archer M. Huntington. It was a facsimile copy
of the first edition of the Catalan romance of chivalry, _Tirant lo
Blanch_. Realizing that here was an opportunity to become intimately
acquainted with a work that was made well known, in name at least,
by Cervantes in his celebrated _Don Quijote_, I eagerly accepted
the suggestion of Professor Todd to examine the book with a view of
ascertaining what possibilities _Tirant lo Blanch_ might offer in the
field of literary investigation. I immediately began to consult the
local libraries, and discovered that no elaborate and extensive study
of this work had been made. After I had read the romance my mind was
made up that the subject of my dissertation would be based on this
Catalan work. I saw in it an abundance of material which provided
excellent opportunities for research work. I experienced no little
difficulty in selecting the special problems and investigations which
were to claim my close and serious attention. Fortunately I again
looked over the cards in the Catalogue of the Library of the Hispanic
Society, and to my surprise I found a new card which indicated that a
critical study of this Catalan work had been published in 1912, the
_Estudio crítico de Tirant lo Blanch_ by Givanel Mas. After a careful
study of this comprehensive and scholarly production and all other
available sources of information pertaining to this subject, I found
myself deeply interested in the question of the authorship of this
romance, its principal sources, and its historical setting.
During the course of my researches and investigations, I have on
numerous occasions been the recipient of favors and acts of kindness
which, although not bearing directly on my work, nevertheless
facilitated my labors and stimulated my efforts. I therefore take
advantage of this opportunity to express my most sincere thanks to
the following persons: to Doctor Peter H. Goldsmith, Director of the
Inter-American Division of the American Association for International
Conciliation, and Editor of the _Inter-America_; to Don F. Javier
Salas, Consul General of Spain at New York; to Professor H.C. Heaton of
New York University; and to Mr. Louis Imbert of Columbia University.
To Professor E.B. Babcock of New York University I am deeply indebted
for sympathetic encouragement and valuable suggestions, and for his
patient reading of the proof-sheets.
I am exceedingly grateful to Professor J.L. Gerig of Columbia
University for a critical reading of the MS., for suggesting certain
improvements, for his good will and helpful advice, and for his final
reading of the proof-sheets.
It is extremely difficult to express in an adequate manner my
appreciation and gratitude to Professor H.A. Todd, who, from the
beginning to the end of the work, advised, guided, and encouraged me.
His kind and never-failing interest in his students and their work is,
it is needless to say, a constant source of inspiration.
CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
Quotation from _Don Quijote_, with comments.—Valencia
edition of _Tirant lo Blanch_.—Barcelona edition of 1497,
of which the only complete copy known is in the library of the
Hispanic Society.—Other editions and translations published.—Scope
of this study.
PART I. ANALYSIS OF _TIRANT LO BLANCH_
CHAPTER I. THE WILLIAM OF WARWICK EPISODE 7
William of Warwick a noble and valiant English knight.—He
makes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, returns, and lives as
a hermit near Warwick.—Moorish invasion of England.—William
of Warwick becomes the hermit-king and the
commander of the English forces.—Defeat and annihilation
of the Moors.—He gives back to the former king the
royal insignia, and retires to a new hermitage.—The King
of England announces an assembly of the General Court in
London.—Meeting of Tirant lo Blanch and the hermit,
William of Warwick, at the hermitage.—The marriage of
the king and the festivities of the General Court.—On his
way back to Brittany Tirant visits the hermit.—The
principal events that took place near and in London.—Tirant
proclaimed the best knight.—His exploits: he vanquishes
two champions of the field, also the Lord of Viles
Hermes; without arms he kills a fierce mastiff; he vanquishes
the kings of Friesland and of Poland, and the dukes
of Burgundy and of Bavaria; his prospective combat with
Kirielayson de Muntalba; he defeats Thomas de Muntalba;
combat with the Knight Villa Formosa.—Narration concerning
the Order of the Garter.—Tirant takes leave of the
hermit and returns to Brittany.
CHAPTER II. TIRANT SUCCORS THE KNIGHTS OF RHODES 26
Tirant is received with great honors in the city of Nantes.
He learns that the knights of Rhodes are besieged by the
Moors and are in a desperate plight.—On a large ship
heavily laden with provisions he, accompanied by Philip,
the youngest son of the King of France, sets sail for Rhodes.—Makes
landing at Lisbon.—Voyage resumed.—Ship
attacked by Moorish vessels but finally reaches Sicily.—Philip
becomes a suitor for the hand of the Sicilian princess,
Ricomana.—The king of Sicily accompanies Tirant and
the ship succeeds in reaching the castle of Rhodes.—The
Moors raise the siege.—Tirant, with his royal companions,
goes to Jerusalem and then to Alexandria, where he ransoms
many Christian captives.—Philip marries Ricomana.
CHAPTER III. TIRANT JOINS THE EXPEDITION OF THE KING
OF FRANCE AGAINST THE INFIDELS 31
Tirant, in a galley of his own, joins the combined fleet
of the Christians.—Attack on the city of Tripoli in Syria
fails.—Quarrel between Tirant and Ricart lo Venturos for
the honor of being the last to board the ship.—The Turkish
coast is plundered and devastated and fleet sails for Tunis.—In
the attack on that city Tirant falls in a ditch and is
rescued by Ricart.—Tunis is captured.—Fleet sailed along
coast of Barbary and finally disbanded at Marseilles.—Tirant
visits his parents and then, at the request of Philip,
returns to Sicily.
CHAPTER IV. TIRANT ENTERS THE SERVICE OF THE EMPEROR
OF CONSTANTINOPLE 33
At the request of the Emperor of Constantinople, Tirant
sets sail for that imperial city, and immediately upon his
arrival is named commander of the Emperor’s forces.—He
falls in love with the charming princess, Carmesina.—Opposition
to Tirant.—Princess warns him against the
treacherous Duke of Macedonia.—Tirant’s novel way of
confessing his love.—Review of the Imperial troops.—First
encounter with the Turks.—The Duke defies Tirant.—Two
thousand soldiers sent by the Grand Master of
the Knights of Rhodes arrive to help Tirant.—Tirant’s
strategy wins another victory.—The Turks decide that
Tirant must be slain.—The King of Egypt’s challenge
accepted by Tirant.—Quarrel between Tirant and the
Duke.—Five thousand men sent by Philip, now king of
Sicily, arrive to join Tirant.—Emperor and Princess visit
the camp.—Great rout of the Turks.—Tirant’s companion,
Diaphebus, appointed Constable.—Tirant captures
ships laden with provisions for the enemy.—Fleet of the
Grand Caramany and the King of Sobirana India dispersed
and the royal leaders captured.—Tirant obliged to remain
in bed in Constantinople in order that a serious wound received
in naval battle may heal.—Arrival of five thousand
“franc archers.”—Tirant’s passionate love.—Viuda
Reposada’s jealousy.—Diaphebus marries Stephania.—Tirant
in Carmesina’s chamber.—Hippolyte and the Empress.—Tirant
and Carmesina exchange vows.—Tirant
embarks to return to camp.—Tirant’s ship is driven by a
storm to the shores of Barbary, where it is wrecked.
CHAPTER V. TIRANT CONQUERS ALL BARBARY 54
Tirant reaches the shore and takes refuge in a cave.—He
is discovered and sent to a castle in the kingdom of
Tremicen as a prisoner.—He takes up arms in defense of this
kingdom, which is attacked by Scariano, the King of Tunis.—Maragdina,
the daughter of the King of Tremicen, is
captured by Scariano, who, in his turn, is captured by
Tirant.—Maragdina, Scariano, and a multitude of Moors
become Christians.—Several Moorish kings of Barbary determine
to exterminate the Christians, but are forced to
give up their designs.—Tirant now makes up his mind to
conquer all Barbary.—The siege of Montagata.—Senyor
Dagramunt and Plaer de mi Vida become the king and queen
of Fez and Bugia.—Caramen, the last city to oppose the
Christians, is captured.—Tirant gathers an army of
250,000 men at Constantine to reconquer all the lost territory
for the Emperor of Constantinople.—Christianity is
firmly established in Barbary.
CHAPTER VI. TIRANT RETURNS TO CONSTANTINOPLE AND
THE GREEK EMPIRE IS COMPLETELY RESTORED 61
Tirant’s immense expedition surprises the Moorish vessels
which blockade the port of Constantinople.—The Sultan
and the Grand Turk sue for peace.—Tirant’s visit to the
Imperial Palace.—The Emperor’s conditions of peace
accepted by the Moors.—The betrothal of Tirant and
Carmesina.—He is proclaimed Caesar of the Empire and
successor to the imperial crown.—He sets out with a large
army to accomplish the restoration of the empire.—This
task completed, he starts back for Constantinople.—His
death.—The despair and passing away of the Emperor
and Carmesina.—Hippolyte becomes Emperor.
PART II. AUTHORSHIP OF _TIRANT LO BLANCH_
CHAPTER I. IN WHAT LANGUAGE WAS _Tirant lo Blanch_
FIRST WRITTEN? 69
Purport of dedicatory letter.—Note at the conclusion
of the book.—Reasons for doubting the accuracy of the
statements made by Martorell and de Galba.—Was there
an English original of _Tirant lo Blanch_?—Was there a
Portuguese translation or a Portuguese original?—Parallel
passages from Lull’s _Libre del Orde d’Cauayleria_ and from
_Tirant lo Blanch_.—Others from _Lo Somni d’En Bernat
Metge_ and from Martorell’s work.—Strong evidence that
_Tirant lo Blanch_ was originally written in Catalan.
CHAPTER II. IN WHAT WAY WAS DE GALBA CONNECTED
WITH THE PRODUCTION OF _Tirant lo Blanch_? 91
De Galba asserts that he translated the fourth part, the
end of the work.—The book is not divided into four parts.—The
inconsistency of the proposed seven parts explained.—Internal
evidence refutes the statements of de Galba.—Perhaps
he composed the last chapter.—Probably did no
more than to prepare the MS. for the printer.
PART III. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF _TIRANT
LO BLANCH_ AND THE SOURCES: _GUY OF
WARWICK_; LIFE OF ROGER DE FLOR IN
MUNTANER’S _CHRONICA_; AND LULL’S _LIBRE
DEL ORDE D’CAUAYLERIA_
CHAPTER I. WILLIAM OF WARWICK STANDS FOR THE MATURE
GUY OF WARWICK 97
View generally held that Tirant lo Blanch stands for
Roger de Flor.—A close study of _Guy of Warwick_ tends to
change that view.—The William of Warwick episode is
based on the latter part of the career of Guy of Warwick.—The
principal part of Lull’s work which was utilized
in the episode.
CHAPTER II. TIRANT LO BLANCH RESEMBLES YOUNG GUY
OF WARWICK 104
Tirant and Guy are victors in knightly contests.—Their
love affairs.—Guy’s career at Constantinople.—Comparison
with Tirant’s career at that imperial city.
CHAPTER III. ROGER DE FLOR’S CAREER AT CONSTANTINOPLE 112
Arrival of the Catalan-Aragonese expedition.—Battle
between the _almogávares_ and the Genoese.—First victory
over the Turks.—Roger begins his triumphant march
through Anatolia.—Arrival of reinforcements.—The
power of the Turks completely broken.—Roger proclaimed
Caesar of the empire.—He is slain at Adrianople.—Points
of resemblance in the careers of Tirant lo Blanch and Roger
de Flor.
CHAPTER IV. OTHER MATERIAL FROM THE _Chronica_ UTILIZED
BY MARTORELL 117
The Emperor’s attitude towards the Genoese.—Xor
Miqueli.—Arrival of reinforcements.—The story of Paris
and Helen.—En Fernan de Ahones.—The raising of the
siege of Messina.
CHAPTER V. OTHER MATERIAL FROM _Guy of Warwick_ 122
The shipwreck of Heraud.—The story of Earl Jonas of
Darras.—Felice was well versed in the seven arts.—Guy’s
desperate love.—Oisel’s devotion to Tirri.—Felice justifies
her attitude towards Guy.—Felice’s expression of
grief and despair as Guy lies dead on the bier before her.—The
love story which unfortunately is debased by the
author.—Conclusion: Tirant lo Blanch bears a stronger
resemblance to Guy of Warwick than to Roger de Flor.—The
exploits of Roger de Flor do not constitute the principal
source of _Tirant lo Blanch_.
PART IV. THE HISTORICAL BASES UPON WHICH
TIRANT’S SPHERES OF OPERATION ARE FOUNDED
CHAPTER I. THE WILLIAM OF WARWICK EPISODE 133
This episode is given a setting in the first part of the
fifteenth century.—Henry VI and Richard of Beauchamp.—Sir
John Stuart and the Duke of Exeter.—The author’s
method in composing his work.
CHAPTER II. CONCERNING THE ORDER OF THE GARTER 140
Inconsistency of two passages in _Tirant lo Blanch_.—Circumstances
that led to the institution of this Order.—Names
of members selected by the King.—Golden Collar of
the members.—Although some of the details are inaccurate
from a historical standpoint, yet Martorell reveals an intimate
knowledge of the Order.
CHAPTER III. TIRANT SUCCORS THE KNIGHTS OF RHODES 146
The attempt of the Genoese to capture Rhodes.—Rhodes
threatened by the Turks.—Siege of Rhodes, in 1444,
forms the historical background of Tirant’s enterprise.
CHAPTER IV. TIRANT JOINS THE EXPEDITION OF THE KING
OF FRANCE AGAINST THE INFIDELS 150
Certain incidents and geographical names pertaining to
this expedition coincide with certain others in connection
with the Crusades of Louis IX.—Joinville’s description
of the king’s leap into the sea compared with a later version.
CHAPTER V. TIRANT CONQUERS AND CHRISTIANIZES ALL
BARBARY 152
Portuguese campaigns against the Moors do not furnish
any material for this undertaking.—Statements in regard to
the origin of _Tirant lo Blanch_ apparently refuted.—Muntaner’s
_Chronica_ furnished historical background for Tirant’s
activities in Barbary, perhaps suggested by Guy of Warwick.
CONCLUSION 158
General description of _Tirant lo Blanch_.—This Catalan
romance of chivalry is a composite historical novel, with
a hero of a composite historical character.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 163
INDEX 165
TIRANT LO BLANCH
INTRODUCTION
In Chapter VI of the immortal work, _Don Quijote de la Mancha_, is
given a glowing account of the burning of the books to which were
ascribed the mental derangement of the “ingenioso hidalgo.” In the
passage in question, Cervantes, speaking through the priest, pays
the following tribute to the Catalan romance of chivalry, _Tirant lo
Blanch_:
[1]Válame Dios, dijo el Cura, dando una gran voz.—Que aquí esté
Tirante el Blanco! Dádmele acá, compadre; que hago cuenta que he
hallado en él un tesoro de contento y una mina de pasatiempos. Aquí
está D. Quirieleisón de Montalbán, valeroso caballero, y su hermano
Tomás de Montalbán, y el caballero Fonseca, con la batalla que el
valiente de Tirante hizo con el alano, y las agudezas de la doncella
Placerdemivida, con los amores y embustes de la viuda Reposada, y la
señora Emperatriz, enamorada de Hipólito, su escudero. Dígoos verdad,
señor compadre, que, por su estilo es éste el mejor libro del mundo:
aquí comen los caballeros, y duermen, y mueren en sus camas, y hacen
testamento antes de su muerte, con otras cosas de que todos los demás
libros deste género carecen. Con todo eso, os digo que merecía el que
lo compuso, pues no hizo tantas necedades de industria, que le echaran
á galeras por todos los días de su vida.[2]
[1] Bless me, cried the Priest in a low voice, and is _Tirante
the White_ here? Give it to me, gossip, for I reckon that I have
found herein a treasure of delight and a mine of entertainment.
Here you have Don Qurieleison of Montalvan, the valiant cavalier,
and his brother Thomas of Montalvan, and the Knight Fonseca, with
the fight which the valiant Tirante had with the big mastiff,
and the witty conceits of the damsel Placer-de-mi-vida, and the
amours and tricks of the widow Reposada, and my Lady the Empress
in love with Hippolito, her squire. I tell you truth, good master
gossip, that this for its style is the best book in the world.
Here the Knights eat and sleep and die in their beds, and make
their wills before dying, with other things that are wanting
in all other books of this sort. For all this, I say that he
who wrote it is well-deserving; for he did not commit follies
purposely which should send him to the galleys for the term of
his life—_Don Quixote of La Mancha_, translated by Henry Edward
Watts, London, 1888.
[2] _Cervantes, El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha._
Edited and annotated by Francisco Rodríguez Marín, Madrid, 1911;
vol. I, chap. vi, pp. 160-163.
The last sentence of this quotation is not clear. It has become
the subject of many comments and discussions, but no wholly
satisfactory explanation has resulted. Menéndez y Pelayo
intimates that probably the sign of negation should be omitted
from the clause “pues no hizo tantas necedades de industria.”
If this were done the passage would make good sense. In the
second volume, page 76, of his _Introducción a los Orígenes de
la Novela_ he suggests another explanation. He quotes a passage
from Juan Rufo which reads as follows: “mas a fe que en algo
errárades, y yo fuera presidente, que os avia de _echar a galeras
pues no_ podiades _hazello de ignorancia_.” He is of the opinion
that Cervantes expressed or intended to express the same idea
as that contained in the words just quoted, but that in some
way “industria” was substituted for “ignorancia.” If Cervantes
had used the latter word instead of the former, the sentence in
question would be free from obscurity. However that may be, it
is evident that the judgment of Cervantes concerning _Tirant lo
Blanch_ was expressed in a humorous way. Almost the whole of
it consists of words of praise. The only adverse criticism is
to be found in the last sentence, whereby Cervantes voices his
objections to the nonsense and obscene features of the work.
According to Menéndez y Pelayo, the whole sentence would be clear
if the clause, “pues no hizo tantas necedades de industria,” were
not one of negation. It seems to me possible and practicable to
remove the negative meaning from the clause without omitting or
changing any words that are now found in the text. The clause
may be made affirmative, emphatically affirmative, by resorting
to the rhetorical device of converting it into a negative
interrogation. The sentence may as a result appear complicated,
but orally expressed it would not seem unnatural or forced. The
passage, with this change in punctuation, would read: “Con todo
eso, os digo que merecía el que lo compuso, pues, ¿no hizo tantas
necedades de industria? que le echaran á galeras por todos los
días de su vida.”
_Tirant Lo Blanch_ was first published in Valencia, in 1490. Of this
edition there are three copies extant: one in the British Museum,
another in the Biblioteca Provincial in Valencia, and the third in
the library of the Hispanic Society of New York.[3] Mr. Archer M.
Huntington, founder of the above Society and a distinguished patron of
Spanish letters, had two hundred facsimile copies made from the last
one mentioned.[4] One of these was used in the investigations connected
with this dissertation.
[3] For the history and description of these three copies see
D. Isidro Bonsoms y Sicart, _La Edición príncipe del “Tirant lo
Blanch” Cotejo de los tres ejemplares impresos en Valencia, en
1490, únicos conocidos hoy día_ (_Discursos leídos en la Real
Academia de Buenas Letras de Barcelona en la recepción pública
de D. Isidro Bonsoms y Sicart_, Barcelona, 1907). Also see Juan
Givanel Mas, _Estudio crítico de Tirant lo Blanch_, Madrid, 1912;
pp. 27-34.
[4] _Ibid._, p. 59.
A second edition was published in Barcelona, in 1497. While I was in
that city in the summer of 1915, I saw fragments of a copy of this
edition in the Institut d’Estudis Catalans. It is to these fragments
that Givanel Mas refers in the following words: “Los únicos pliegos
que se conocen hoy día de la edición barcelonesa de 1497 del Tirant lo
Blanch, se hallan en la Biblioteca del Institut d’Estudis Catalans;
comprenden desde el capítulo ccxviiii al ccccxciii y del ccccxxxix al
ccccxlv.”[5]
[5] _Ibid._, p. 41, footnote 2.
It therefore affords me great pleasure to be able to announce that the
Hispanic Society of New York has in its possession a complete copy
of the edition of 1497. It is gilt edged and is bound in leather of
a yellowish, almost brown, color. Its back is decorated with gilded
lines and bears the title _Roman del Cavaller_ | _Tirant Blanc_ |
Barcelona | 1497. The title page is missing, but at the end of the
book a fragment of paper bearing the words “Tirant lo Blanch” in large
letters is pasted on a flyleaf. This fragment is probably a part of
the title page. The edges of several pages at the beginning and at the
close of the book had been torn, but they have been neatly mended. A
considerable number of pages are somewhat soiled, but all are easily
legible. The facsimile reproduction of a page of the fragments in
Barcelona, which Givanel Mas has inserted in his work, coincides
exactly with the corresponding page of the book in the library of the
Hispanic Society. This author has also set forth other interesting
details concerning the edition of 1497.[6] The colophon of the edition
reads:
[6] _Ibid._, pp. 38-42.
A honor y gloria d’nostre senyor deu Jeusucrist: fon principiat a
stampar lo present libre per mestre Pere miquel condam y es acabat
per Diego de gumiel castella en la molt noble e insigne ciutat de
Barcelona a .xvi. de Setembre d’l any .M. CCCC. XCVII.[7]
[7] To the honor and glory of our Lord God, Jesus Christ: the
printing of this book was begun by Master Pere Miquel Condam and
is completed by Diego de Gumiel, a Castilian, in the most noble
and excellent city of Barcelona on the sixteenth day of September
of the year 1497.
In 1873 Don Mariano Aguiló y Fuster of Barcelona began the publication
of a new edition, but it was not completed until 1905. In this edition
the work is divided into four volumes.[8]
[8] For further information concerning this edition, see Juan
Givanel Mas, _op. cit._, pp. 43-58.
A Spanish translation of _Tirant lo Blanch_ was published in
Valladolid, in 1511.[9] The name of the translator is not known. The
eminent Catalan book-lover and scholar, Don Isidro Bonsoms y Sicart, of
Barcelona, has a copy of it in his library. We have no information in
regard to the existence of any other copy. An Italian translation was
made by Lelio Manfredi and published in Venice, in 1538.[10] A French
translation by the Comte de Caylus was published about 1737; London is
given as the place of publication, but this is probably incorrect.[11]
[9] _Ibid._, pp. 61-76.
[10] _Ibid._, pp. 70-89.
[11] _Ibid._, pp. 90-104.
In the course of my studies of _Tirant lo Blanch_, I have found myself
confronted by three important questions: (1) What are the real facts
concerning the authorship of this book of chivalry? (2) Is it true
that Tirant, the hero of the book, stands for the historic personage
Roger de Flor, in connection with the Catalan-Aragonese expedition to
Constantinople in the early years of the fourteenth century? (3) What
are the historical data utilized by the author in the composition of
his work? Each of these problems I have investigated, and the processes
and results are duly set forth in their appropriate places in this
work. Three distinct parts of it will be devoted to a consideration of
these three questions. They will be preceded by an analysis of _Tirant
lo Blanch_, to which the reader will be referred whenever it may be
deemed expedient or necessary. The analysis is, moreover, intended to
throw light on all the points mentioned in the quotation from _Don
Quijote_; to give a fuller account of the activities of Tirant than has
been done up to the present time; and to give as accurate an idea of
the book as a reasonable allotment of space will permit.
PART I
ANALYSIS OF TIRANT LO BLANCH
CHAPTER I
THE WILLIAM OF WARWICK EPISODE
On the delightful island of England there lived a noble and valiant
knight. For many years he performed with great honor the duties
pertaining to knighthood. This noble representative of chivalry was
Earl William of Warwick. He was very strong and well-trained in the
use of arms. Many were the battles in which he took part, and many a
formidable adversary was vanquished by him. (Chap. 2)
Having reached the age of fifty-five years, moved by sorrow and
contrition for the many deaths he had caused in his knightly career,
he resolved to do penance for his sins by making a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. The announcement of his intention to the Countess, his
wife, caused her a severe shock. The Earl called his servants before
him and paid them all that was due them and much more. To the Countess
he gave possession of the whole county, with the privilege of doing
with it what she wished. He caused a gold ring to be made bearing his
escutcheon and that of the Countess. This ring was wrought in such a
way that it could be divided into two parts, each being a complete
ring in itself, but showing only one half of the escutcheons. One
of these he gave to the Countess, asking her to keep it until his
return. In long lamentations she bewailed her sad fate. But the Earl
was resolute, and with tears streaming down his cheeks took leave of
his wife and son, the latter being only three months old. Leaving the
city of Warwick accompanied by a squire, he sailed to Alexandria, and
thence made his way to Jerusalem. Here he made a careful and contrite
confession of his sins and received Holy Communion. After visiting
the Holy Sepulcher and other holy places in this city, he returned to
Alexandria, and set sail for Venice, where he dismissed his squire,
who, in accordance with the instructions given him by his master,
spread the report that Earl William of Warwick was dead. The Earl also
had merchants write letters to England, in which they told that William
of Warwick had died while returning from Jerusalem. The Countess was
grief-stricken when she received the bad tidings, and caused funeral
obsequies to be celebrated in a manner befitting the Earl’s station.
(Chaps. 2-4)
After some time had elapsed the Earl returned to his native land. He
was greatly changed in appearance. Long hair hung over his shoulders,
and his snow-white beard reached to his girdle. In the garb of a
Franciscan monk, he came to a hermitage of Our Lady not far distant
from the city of Warwick, and there lived all alone, avoiding all
worldly affairs in order that he might make atonement for his
transgressions. Once a week he went into the city of Warwick to solicit
alms. No one recognized him, on account of his beard and long hair. He
used to go to the Countess to ask for charity, and she, touched by his
profound humility, would give to him more than to the other mendicants.
And thus he lived undisturbed for some time. (Chap. 4)
Now it happened that corsairs had plundered a city belonging to the
King of Canary. This Moorish king became enraged when he heard of it,
and prepared a great fleet to invade England. One dark night this
fleet entered the port of Dantona [Hampton, i.e. Southampton]. The
Moors disembarked without being seen or heard by the English. When
the English king was informed of this invasion, he quickly gathered
all his available men to drive back the invaders, but his forces were
defeated and he was obliged to retreat towards the city of Saint Thomas
of Canterbury. Along a river near this place he made a stand, but
was again defeated. After losing nine battles, one after another, he
sought refuge in the city of London. But the scarcity of provisions
soon compelled him to evacuate this place, and he withdrew to the
city of Warwick, which was well supplied with food, arms and all the
instruments of warfare. The Countess offered all that was in her county
to the unfortunate monarch. The Moors pursued the retreating forces,
and on the way captured the castle of Alimburch [Wellingborough?].
The English king from a tower in the city of Warwick could see the
Moors devastating the land and slaying his Christian people, both men
and women. Dark despair came over him. He could not bear this sight,
but came down from the tower and retired to a small chamber where he
lamented and prayed. In his great affliction, he bowed his head upon
the bed, and presently it seemed to him that a beautiful lady in white,
with a child in her arms, entered the chamber. She was attended by
many other ladies who were chanting the “Magnificat.” When the singing
ceased, the Lady approached him, and, placing her hand on his head, she
said: “Fear not, O King; have confidence; the Son and the Mother will
help you in your great tribulation. As a sign of peace, kiss on the
mouth the first man with a long beard whom you shall see, and who will
ask you for alms. Request him to lay aside his garment, and make him
captain of all your forces.” When the king opened his eyes the vision
had vanished, but the dream had been so vivid that he could not forget
it. The next morning the hermit, William of Warwick, while gathering
herbs, saw the Moorish forces overrunning all the surrounding country,
and sought refuge in the city of Warwick. He went to the castle to
ask the Countess for alms, and there met the king, whom he immediately
approached. He knelt down before him and asked for charity. The king,
bidding him arise, kissed him on the mouth and led him into a room of
the castle, where he asked him to put aside his penitent garb and to
take up arms. The hermit at first declined, but finally agreed to yield
to the wishes of the king, since he would be taking up arms to defend
Christianity and to spread the Holy Catholic faith. (Chaps. 5-10)
In his travels in the East the hermit had learned to make certain
grenades which would burn and which no water could extinguish. For
several days he was busy making some of these. One day he informed
the king he was ready to carry out a plan by which he hoped to deal
a severe blow to the enemy. That night he disguised himself as a
Moor and, carrying a number of grenades, reached the camp of the
invaders. He set fire to the camp, and while the infidels were trying
to extinguish the fire, the English came out of the city and attacked
them. Many Moors were slain, and the rest fled in disorder to the
castle of Alimburch. (Chaps. 10-12)
From this place, the great King of Canary sent ambassadors to the
English king with a letter in which he proposed that, to avoid further
bloodshed, the two kings should engage in mortal combat. If the Moorish
king should be the victor, the English king was to recognize him as
his lord and pay a heavy tribute every year. If, on the other hand,
the English king should win, then the Moors were to return to their
own land, and England should again enjoy peace. This proposal was
immediately accepted by the English sovereign. (Chaps. 13-14)
Then the King of England convened the General Council to deliberate
over the matter. The hermit was first asked to give his advice. He
suggested that since the Moorish king was a strong and hardy man, and
the English king young and feeble, some one who was more likely to win
over such a formidable adversary should fight in place of England’s
king. Moreover, he proposed that the Duke of Lancaster, the uncle of
the king, should be the person to represent him in the combat. But
immediately three dukes, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Bedford,
and the Duke of Exeter, protested loudly that, since they were more
closely related to the king, the honor of representing him should
devolve upon them. But the king was unwilling that any one should fight
in his place. However, he was finally persuaded that this should be
done, and he yielded only on condition that he be permitted to name
the substitute, to whom he also intended to surrender the royal crown
and scepter. He nominated the hermit, who wished to decline, but was
finally induced to put on the royal robes. The regal power was then
conferred upon him in the presence of a notary. Arms were brought, from
which he was to select those that he preferred. But he chose none of
these. He asked that the arms of William of Warwick be obtained from
the Countess. The latter sent certain arms, but they were not the ones
that he wanted. Those that he desired were kept in the chamber of the
Countess. The astonished lady gave the hermit permission to enter her
chamber, and he there equipped himself for the coming combat. (Chaps.
14-19)
The hermit-king spent all that night in the church, kneeling before the
altar, upon which he had placed his arms. After mass the next morning
he ate to strengthen his body and then armed himself for the fight.
Finally the adversaries met, and the fighting was fast and furious.
Suddenly the hermit-king cut off one of his opponent’s arms, and a few
moments later, his head. England’s champion had won, and great was the
rejoicing among the Christians. (Chap. 19)
The next day the English sent ambassadors to the infidels to request
them to leave the country, as had been stipulated in the agreement made
before the combat took place, but the Moors in great wrath cut off the
heads of these ambassadors. They put the heads in a sack and sent them
back to the English. The hermit-king was astounded when this cruel and
treacherous deed was reported to him, and he made a solemn vow never to
go under any roof except that of the church to hear mass, until he had
driven the whole Moorish tribe out of the kingdom. And he ordered that
all male subjects of the crown over the age of eleven years and under
seventy should take up arms to fight the invaders. (Chaps. 19-20)
When the Countess learned that her son, who was barely eleven years
old, would be obliged to fight the Moors, she became frantic. She
implored the hermit-king to permit her to keep her son, the only
comfort of her life, but he would not yield to her entreaties. And when
the boy himself expressed an eagerness to go against the enemy, she
realized that all her petitions would be in vain, and, with despair in
her heart, she gave the lad her blessing. (Chaps. 20-22)
The hermit-king gathered his forces and led them out upon a plain
before the city, and there they established their camp. Around it a
high wall was thrown up. An opening was left on one side and there
caltrops were placed and pitfalls were dug. When the Moors attacked
the camp, they were slaughtered in great numbers. Finally they began
to retreat. The Christians followed them and killed many more in the
pursuit. The young son of the Countess slew a doughty Moor, and the
king, after dubbing him, threw him upon the slain Saracen, so that the
boy’s hands and face became covered with blood. That was the lad’s
baptism of blood. (Chaps. 24-25)
After this disastrous defeat the Moors again returned to the castle
of Alimburch. The English made an assault upon this stronghold and
succeeded in setting it on fire. The infidels were obliged to come out,
and all that emerged were slain, while all the rest that were found in
the kingdom were put to death. The victorious English then marched to
Dantona, threw into the sea all the Moors that they encountered there,
and destroyed all the ships in which they had come. (Chap. 25)
When peace and order were again established on the island of England,
the hermit-king decided to make himself known to the Countess, and
in order that he might be free to return to his hermitage and his
penitential life, he purposed to restore the kingdom to the former
sovereign. (Chap. 26)
Accordingly, he sent a chamberlain with the half-ring to the Countess.
The messenger said to her: “He who has loved you with infinite love,
and who still loves you, sends you this ring.” She took it and was
startled. She hurried to her chamber, where she said a short prayer.
Then she opened the jewel-case and took a ring from it. She placed
one of the rings on top of the other, and behold they fitted together
perfectly and the escutcheons were complete. All perturbed and excited,
she rushed towards the door, but before she was able to reach it, she
fell to the floor in a swoon. The chamberlain hurried to the king and
announced that the Countess had fallen dead. The king hurried to her
room. Doctors were already there trying to revive her. Finally she
recovered her senses, arose, and threw herself on her knees before the
king, who raised her up from the floor and embraced her and kissed her
many times. Then he announced that he was the Earl of Warwick. And when
the people generally knew that the hermit-king was their own William of
Warwick, there was great rejoicing. All the nobility went to the church
with the reunited couple and offered up to heaven infinite praise and
thanks. Then, in a triumphant procession, they returned to the castle,
where a sumptuous banquet was served. (Chap. 26)
Nine days later there arrived four hundred carts laden with gold
and silver, all of which had been taken from the Moors. The Duke of
Bedford, the Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Salisbury, and the Earl of
Stafford were put in charge of this immense treasure. A meeting of the
General Council was ordered for the next day. (Chap. 26)
At this council the earl gave instructions concerning the distribution
of the booty, and restored to the former ruler the crown, scepter,
and royal robes. He himself immediately put on again the garb of the
Franciscan order. The reinstated king begged him to remain at his
court. He offered him the principality of Wales, but he would not
accept it. All the members of the council besought him to stay, but
he answered that he must return to serve God. When the king realized
that he could not induce him to dwell amongst them, he gave half of
the kingdom of Cornwall to the earl’s son, to whom was also granted
the privilege of wearing an iron crown. The hermit gave thanks to the
king for the gift and the honors bestowed on his son, and then bade
farewell to His Majesty and his court. He went to a small villa in his
county, where he remained several days. The king sent him thirty carts
loaded with the most precious things contained in the booty captured
from the Moors, but he refused to accept any of it. When the king left
the city of Warwick he sent for the earl’s son, and, at the city gate,
he appointed him Grand Constable of all England. Then the king departed
for London. (Chap. 27)
The Countess visited her husband, the hermit, in the villa, and finally
persuaded him to have a hermitage built, which was to consist of a
church, with an apartment on each side of it, one for him and the
other for her. After its completion, and just about the time that they
were going to live there, the Earl of Northumberland came to them as an
ambassador of the king. His mission was to request the noble couple to
come to London. The king was going to marry the daughter of the King
of France, and was anxious that the Countess should instruct the queen
in the practices and customs of England. The hermit replied that he
must keep the vow that he had made to serve God, but he should be very
happy if the Countess would be willing to go. And the Countess, moved
by the wish of her husband and by a sense of duty to her sovereign
lord, expressed her willingness to comply with the king’s request. And
thus, William of Warwick and his wife were again separated; she went to
London, and he entered the new hermitage, which stood in a dense grove,
in which there was a clear spring, whose waters flowed with a gentle
murmur through the flowers and green grasses of a beautiful meadow. And
every day after the hermit had finished his hours he would come out
under a beautiful pine tree that stood in the center of this meadow, to
watch the animals that came to drink from this crystal spring. (Chap.
27)
The King of England, in order to keep his people well-trained in the
use of arms, and to celebrate his approaching marriage in a befitting
manner, announced that a General Court would be held in London at which
many exercises of arms should take place. The announcement of the great
festivities which the king was preparing was spread throughout all the
Christian lands. Now it happened that a young nobleman from Brittany
started on his way to attend the great event, and with him several
other youths. And as they were riding along, he dropped somewhat behind
the others, and, being weary from the long journey, fell asleep. His
steed, instead of following the company, took a path which led to the
crystal spring where the hermit was reading a book entitled _Arbre de
Batalles_. When the horse came to the spring, it lowered its head to
drink, and this movement awakened the rider, who opened his eyes and
saw before him the white-bearded hermit. Quickly dismounting, he bowed
to him. The hermit received him kindly, and asked his name, and why he
had come to that deserted place. The youth answered: “My father is Lord
of the March of Tirania, and my mother’s name is Blancha; therefore it
has pleased them to call me Tirant lo Blanch.” He then related that
he and several young noblemen were on their way to attend the General
Court which the English king had announced and at which those who
wished to become knights would have an opportunity to realize their
ambition. When he had said this, the hermit grew pensive and, when
asked wherefore, replied that he was thinking of knighthood and the
duties and obligations of knights. Young Tirant then begged him to tell
about the order of knighthood. The hermit read to him a chapter from
the _Arbre de Batalles_, which was a kind of treatise on the order of
chivalry. And he explained the origin of chivalry; its noble purpose;
the significance of the arms and the different parts of armor; how
a knight who has disgraced the order is degraded; and he named some
of the great knights of olden times. When asked who were the best
knights of England at that very time, he mentioned the names of the
good knight Muntanyanegre, the Duke of Exeter, and Sir John Stuart.
Tirant, disappointed at this answer, asked why he did not make mention
of the Earl William of Warwick, who had won so many battles in France
and Italy, and in many other countries; who had saved the life of the
Countess of Belestar, accused of adultery by her husband and her three
sons; who had snatched a child away from a lion and returned it to
its mother; and who vanquished the Moors in England and liberated many
English captives. The hermit replied that he had heard of William of
Warwick, but having never seen him he did not mention his name. (Chaps.
28-38)
While Tirant was receiving instructions in knighthood from the hermit,
his companions were traveling on, and, although he would gladly have
remained longer, it was necessary to depart if he did not wish to
travel to London alone. The hermit bade him farewell, and gave him the
book. He invited Tirant to visit him on his return, and the invitation
was accepted. Then the young aspirant for the honors of knighthood
resumed his journey to London. Some of his companions, when they missed
him, turned back, and when they found him, he was riding along reading
the book. The company of young men arrived in London a few days before
the beginning of the festivities. (Chap. 39)
The feast of St. John was the wedding day of the king, and on that day
began the festivities of the General Court. The celebration continued
for a year and a day. Then the visitors took leave of the king and the
queen, and returned to their respective homes. Tirant, remembering
his promise, stopped at the hermitage with his companions. They were
embraced one by one by the venerable man, and then they sat down with
him on the grass underneath the large pine tree. At the request of the
hermit, Tirant described the principal events that had taken place at
London. He told of the generous hospitality of the king; of the great
procession when the king went out of the city to meet his betrothed;
of the manner in which the exercises of arms were conducted; and of
the splendor and merriment at the royal nuptials. He spoke also of
those who essayed their skill in knightly combats, praising highly
the Duke of Aygues Vives, the Duke of Cleves, and the brother of the
Duke of Burgundy. But the contest that he admired most of all was the
one in which a youth who did not seem to be more than fourteen or
fifteen years old took part. This youthful knight was called the Grand
Constable of England. His mother and the king, too, had forbidden him
to participate in any of the combats. But he came to Tirant and asked
him for permission to use his arms and steed. He begged so well that
Tirant was unable to refuse. In this contest the youth slew the Senyor
de Escala Rompuda. The king chided him for having entered the lists
without permission, but the young Constable answered that it was not
right that he should be denied the privilege of following the footsteps
of his valiant father, William, Earl of Warwick. The Countess sent
for Tirant and begged him never again to do anything that might cause
her to lose the only joy and comfort that she had in this life. And
he promised that he would never willingly put the life of her son in
jeopardy. (Chaps. 39-57)
The hermit had already twice asked who had been declared the best
and greatest knight among the victors. But Tirant seemed to pay no
attention to his questions. And finally the hermit said: “But, Tirant,
why do you not answer my question?” Then arose one of the company and
his name was Diaphebus. He drew forth a parchment saying that the
document in his hands would answer the question. This he read to the
hermit, who was delighted when he heard that it was a proclamation to
the world that the noble and valiant Tirant lo Blanch was declared the
best knight of all those that had taken part in the exercises of arms
at the festivities connected with the General Court. It also contained
the instructions given by the king that Tirant should be placed on a
white steed and that all, walking with the king, should escort the
hero to the church of Saint George, where a solemn high mass would be
celebrated in honor of this most excellent knight. The document was
signed by “Rex Enricus,” and by judges of the field, heralds, and the
great lords in attendance. (Chaps. 57-58)
After the reading of the document, the hermit asked Diaphebus to tell
of some of Tirant’s exploits, whereupon our hero withdrew from the
company to busy himself with giving orders for the putting up of the
tents and the preparation of supper. Diaphebus then related how Tirant
was the first person upon whom the honor of knighthood was conferred,
and the first one to engage in combat with one of the champions of
the field. In this contest, which was fought on horseback, he slew
his adversary. Then he challenged another champion of the field to
a _combat à outrance_ on foot. In this he succeeded in striking his
opponent to the ground. Not wishing to take his life, he asked the
fallen knight to beg for mercy, but the latter answered that he was
the Caualler de Muntalt, knighted by the Earl of Warwick, loved and
feared by many, and that he preferred to die with honor rather than
live in disgrace. And Tirant, regretting that knights were by their
very profession obliged to be cruel, placed the point of his dagger
over the eye of his victim, and then struck a sharp blow on the end of
the handle so that the point came out on the other side of his head.
(Chaps. 58-60)
One day the king and the queen, accompanied by many knights and ladies,
went out into a meadow for recreation. With them was “Beautiful Agnes,”
the daughter of the Duke of Berry. On this day she wore a precious
brooch. Tirant approached her and praised her many excellent qualities.
He then asked her for that brooch, saying that in return for the favor
he would be willing to meet any knight in a _combat à outrance_. She
gave him permission to take it. Thereupon Tirant detached it from her
bodice and fastened it on his cap. The following day the Senyor de les
Viles Ermes, a valiant and well-trained knight, came to Tirant, and,
after telling him that from his very childhood he had loved Agnes,
demanded that the brooch be given him. Threatening to kill Tirant
if the latter should refuse, he tried to take it from him by force,
whereupon a fight ensued in which the friends of each took part, and
twelve men were killed before peace could be restored. Three days
later, the Senyor de les Viles Ermes sent a challenge to Tirant and
it was immediately accepted. Tirant relinquished his right to select
the arms, and also gave his adversary the privilege of designating
the manner in which the duel was to be fought. Thereupon the latter
specified that the combat should be fought on foot. Each of the
combatants should wear a plain shirt, and have a wreath of flowers on
his head. No other clothing was to be worn. Each should be provided
with a paper shield and a pointed double-edged Genoese dagger. The
duel was fought in a neighboring forest early in the morning. The two
adversaries inflicted many horrible wounds on each other. Their white
shirts were red with the blood that flowed copiously from their wounds.
Gradually they grew weaker and weaker. Finally Tirant made a desperate
thrust and struck his opponent just over the heart. At the same time he
himself received a blow on the head which made him sink to the ground
even before his antagonist fell dead. Four of Tirant’s wounds were
pronounced fatal, but fortunately they gradually healed and his life
was saved. (Chaps. 60-68)
The Prince of Wales, too, had come to attend the festivities, and since
he was fond of hunting he brought with him several enormous dogs. One
day the king, accompanied by several knights, visited him. And it
happened that on that same day Tirant was riding by the house in which
the prince lived. A large mastiff having broken loose from his chain,
came out and rushed towards Tirant. Our hero dismounted and drew his
sword, and when the dog saw the gleaming blade, it turned away. The
king and the prince saw this, and the latter, knowing the ferocious
nature of the animal, remarked that a splendid fight was in prospect.
Tirant remounted his steed and proceeded on his way, but he had hardly
advanced twenty paces, when the mastiff again rushed at him with great
fury, and the rider was a second time obliged to alight from his horse.
He again drew his sword and advanced towards the savage animal, when
the latter, being afraid of the shining weapon, retreated. Then Tirant
threw aside his sword, for he concluded that it was not right nor fair
that he should use arms when the dog had none. The mastiff rushed for
the weapon, seized it with his teeth, and carried it a short distance
away. And as he came back towards Tirant, the latter said: “Now we
shall fight on equal terms; I shall use the same kind of weapons to do
you harm, as you will employ against me.” They attacked each other with
fierceness. The gigantic mastiff caused Tirant to fall three times.
Finally the latter seized the raging beast by the throat and strangled
it with all his might. At the same time he bit its cheek so savagely
that the animal fell dead on the ground. The king and others came out
immediately, and carried Tirant into the house. Doctors were called and
they treated the many wounds on his arms and legs. For this victory he
received the same honors as if he had vanquished a formidable knight in
the lists. (Chap. 68)
The King of Friesland, the King of Poland, the Duke of Burgundy, and
the Duke of Bavaria met in the city of Rome on the occasion of an
important celebration of the Church. Among other subjects of their
conversation, they came to speak of the King of England and the
wonderful festivities and exercises of arms that were taking place at
his court. They decided to go there _incognito_ and try their fortune
in the lists. Tirant met each of them in mortal combat, and vanquished
them all. (Chaps. 68-73)
Some time after came the knight Villa Fermosa from Scotland. The lady
who had captivated his soul would not listen to him, nor would she
speak to him until he had vanquished the renowned knight, Tirant lo
Blanch. But the latter did not wish to accept the challenge, for his
wounds were not yet healed. The Scottish knight, however, would not
take a refusal, and finally Tirant consented to meet him, and promised
that he would not fight any other knight until after their combat.
(Chap. 74)
But this promise Tirant was obliged to break, for the following
reasons. When the news of the death of the King of Friesland reached
his kingdom, there was great grief among his subjects. The favorite
of the dead king, Kirielayson de Muntalba, who was a man strong and
valorous, and descended from a race of giants, determined to make
Tirant pay dearly for slaying his lord the king. He sent a challenge,
in which he accused him of having vanquished the two kings and the two
dukes through treachery. Tirant, in his answer, gave him the lie and
accepted the challenge. The giant-knight came, but before the combat
he went to visit the tombs of those whose death he wished to avenge.
Seeing the shields of the vanquished, over which the shields of Tirant
had been placed, he began to weep and lament. In a fit of anger he took
down Tirant’s shields and threw them on the ground. Then he noticed
that they were painted on the tabernacle over the tomb. Blind with
rage, he struck them with his head so violently that he fell half
unconscious. A few moments later, when he opened the tabernacle and saw
the lifeless body of his king and sovereign, his gall bladder burst,
and he died instantly. (Chaps. 74-80)
The unsuccessful avenger of the King of Friesland had a brother whose
name was Thomas de Muntalba, and he had been the favorite of the
other monarch, the King of Poland. Thomas came to England with a grim
determination to avenge the death not only of the kings and dukes, but
also of his brother. He was well built, of great strength, and so tall
that Tirant scarcely reached up to his waist. It was said that he was
the tallest man in all Christendom. He, too, accused our distinguished
champion of having slain his victims treacherously, and challenged him
to mortal combat. The challenge was accepted. The friends of Tirant
tried to prevent the duel, for they feared that he might be vanquished.
Finally the combat took place and it was of long duration. The giant’s
blows were powerful. Once they forced Tirant to his knees, but at that
very moment he wounded his opponent in the groin. In the violence of
the fight the big knight let fall his ax. Tirant told him that he would
permit him to pick it up, if he would retract his false accusation of
treachery. Thomas de Muntalba did so, and recovered his ax. Then the
combat began again and it became more furious than before. Finally the
gigantic adversary had difficulty in breathing, and was becoming weak
from loss of blood. Tirant made a desperate effort to put an end to
the fight. He succeeded in landing two powerful blows on the head of
his opponent, who fell to the ground. Tirant quickly placed the point
of his dagger over one of the eyes of the giant, and at the same time
told him if he would acknowledge that he was vanquished his life would
be spared. The fallen knight answered that since Fate willed it, he
would deliver himself into his hands. Then Tirant went into the middle
of the field, knelt down, and gave praise and thanks to God for the
victory. Thomas de Muntalba was degraded and later he became a monk of
the Franciscan order. (Chaps. 80-84)
A few days after this event Tirant went to Scotland to engage in combat
with the knight Villa Fermosa. The Queen of Scotland acted as judge of
the contest. She stopped the combat before either of the knights had
come to grief. (Chap. 84)
When the hermit had heard all these things, he expressed his delight
at the many successes and great honors that young Tirant had won.
In the meantime our modest hero had tables set up beside the clear
spring, and an excellent supper was awaiting the hermit and all the
rest. After supper the venerable man retired to the hermitage. The
next day, after he had said his hours, he came out again. Tirant and
his companions went to receive him, and they sat on the grass as the
day before. Then Diaphebus tells about the institution of the Order of
the Garter. He narrates the well-known incident which caused the king
to say; “Puni soyt qui mal hi pense.” He relates how His Royal Majesty
instituted the above-named fraternity as a result of that incident.
He gives a detailed description of the Church of St. George in the
castle of Windsor; he recounts the rules of the Order and describes the
ceremonies; he repeats the oaths of the members of the Order, and the
vows of the ladies of honor. He tells how the king selected twenty-five
knights to make up the membership so that with the king the members
numbered twenty-six, and that the king himself was the first to swear
to obey all the rules. Tirant, being the best knight of all those at
the court, was the first to be chosen. And among the other members
selected was John of Warwick, the Grand Constable of England. (Chaps.
84-97)
Tirant and his companions stayed with the hermit for ten days. On the
eve of their departure for Brittany, they asked him to sleep in one
of their tents for that night, since they were going to leave early
in the morning and were eager to have his blessing before starting.
Their request was granted. The next morning, after they had departed,
he returned to the hermitage, which, to his great surprise, he found
well stocked with all manner of provisions. He even found wood and
coal within, so that it would not be necessary for him to go out
when the weather was bad. The hermit was deeply moved by this act of
kindness, and attributed it to Tirant, who, he resolved, should ever be
remembered in his prayers. (Chap. 97)