The Chivalrous Adventures of Tirant lo Blanc
The Account of William of Warwick
Count William lived in Warwick, England. As a young man, he was an excellent gentleman devoted to tournaments and warfare. He decided to make a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem for forgiveness of his sins. On his return, he stopped in Venice, and a rumor of his death spread. The rumor soon reached Warwick. Later, he returned to Warwick incognito, wishing to live out his final days in peace.
The Moors, commanded by the King of Gran Canaria, were invading England. The English king, desperate, sought refuge in Wales. A maiden advised the king to seek the hermit who had once led their armies to victory. This hermit was William of Warwick.
With clever tactics, William used quicklime grenades to start a large fire in the enemy camp, winning the battle. He then revealed his identity to his wife and men but chose to return to his hermitage.
Tirant and the Hermit
The King of England proclaimed a fair and tournament to celebrate his marriage. A young Breton gentleman, along with others, decided to attend and receive knighthood. On the way to London, the Breton became lost and encountered the hermit, William of Warwick. The young man introduced himself as Tirant lo Blanc, son of Lord Brand of Tyranny and the White Lady, a daughter of the Duke of Brittany.
William realized Tirant knew nothing of chivalry and agreed to instruct him in exchange for a report of the tournament’s events.
Tirant’s Chivalry in England
Tirant, out of humility, asked his cousin Diafebus to report on the London festivities. Diafebus recounted Tirant’s first mounted combat, his first combat on foot with the Lord of Muntalt, and his courteous service to a lady.
The Battle with the Lord of Vilersemes and the Beautiful Agnes
Near the river, Tirant saw the beautiful Agnes, a relative of the queen and daughter of the Duke of Berri. He was captivated by her beauty and asked for her brooch. The Lord of Vilersemes, jealous of Tirant’s attention to Agnes, challenged him to a duel. The fight was fierce, and both men were gravely wounded. Tirant, thanks to Agnes’s care, recovered, while the Lord of Vilersemes died. Tirant then traveled incognito through England, defeating the rulers of Frisia and Apollonia, and the Dukes of Bavaria and Burgundy. His fame spread, leading to further challenges and victories.
The Order of the Garter
This order of chivalry had a monastery with twenty-six seats, one for each knight, and strict rules enforced by the King of Arms.
Tirant in Sicily and Rhodes
Tirant bid farewell to Diafebus and the other knights and traveled to Nantes to meet the Duke of Brittany. He then went to Rhodes, an island defended by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The Sultan of Cairo attacked the island with a fleet, aided by Genoese crossbowmen. Tirant, learning of a Genoese plot, successfully defended Rhodes and pursued the enemy along the Barbary Coast and North Africa. He reached Palermo and then Ricomana in Sicily, where the king’s daughter fell in love with Philip.
Philip and the Bread
At a feast, Philip embarrassed himself by taking too many slices of bread. Tirant salvaged the situation by placing a ducat on each slice and declaring them an offering to the poor.
Tirant Burns the Genoese Ship
Tirant paid a clever sailor to burn a Genoese ship. The Master of Rhodes suspected Tirant’s involvement.
Philip and the Twins
Philip, unable to find a needle to mend his clothes, slept in the wrong bed. He ended up marrying both twins.
Tirant in the Greek Empire
The Sultan of Cairo and the Grand Turk attacked the Greek Empire. The Emperor of Constantinople appealed to Tirant for help. Tirant became Captain of the Greek armies and lifted the spirits of the mourning women of the court. He fell in love with Princess Carmesina.
Tirant Wounded by Love
Tirant’s love for Carmesina caused him great distress. Diafebus discovered his secret and revealed it to Carmesina.
Tirant Declares his Love with a Mirror
Tirant used a mirror to try and confess his love, but Carmesina misunderstood and rebuked him. She later regretted her harshness and sent a maiden to comfort him. The Turks, meanwhile, were gaining ground due to the Duke of Macedonia’s incompetence.
Tirant on the Battlefield
Tirant won several victories against the Turks. The Duke of Macedonia grew jealous. Carmesina gave Tirant her shirt to wear in battle.
The Great Pitched Battle Against the Turks
A massive battle ensued. Tirant was seriously wounded but ultimately victorious. Diafebus distinguished himself in the fighting.
Malev Castle
Tirant visited Carmesina at Malev Castle. She refused his advances. Diafebus was named Grand Constable and Count of San Angel.
Plaerdemavida’s Dream
Estefanía and Diafebus plotted to bring Tirant and Carmesina together. Plaerdemavida, a maiden, observed their encounter.
Tirant Invited to Watch the Princess Bathe
Plaerdemavida arranged for Tirant to secretly observe Carmesina bathing.
Tirant Shares a Bed with the Princess
Plaerdemavida helped Tirant into Carmesina’s bed. When discovered, Tirant escaped through a window, injuring his leg.
Trouble in the Palace
The Viscount of Branches and Hippolytus rescued Tirant. The Emperor summoned Tirant back to the battlefield.
The Love of Hippolytus and the Empress
Hippolytus and the Empress began a secret affair.
Tirant and Carmesina Marry in Secret
Tirant and Carmesina were secretly married. The Widow plotted to separate them.
The Widow’s Malicious Fiction
The Widow tricked Tirant into believing Carmesina was unfaithful. Tirant, enraged, killed the man he believed to be his wife’s lover.
Tirant in North Africa
Tirant sailed to North Africa, where his ship was wrecked. He learned of the Widow’s deception and the distress of Carmesina.
The Adventure of the Knight Espèrcius
The knight Espèrcius, shipwrecked, found refuge with a beautiful woman and became lord of an island.
Tirant Frees the Greek Empire
Tirant returned to Constantinople. The Widow, upon hearing the news, poisoned herself. The Turks sued for peace. Tirant married Carmesina and was named Emperor.
Death of Tirant and Carmesina
Tirant continued to fight the Turks but fell ill and died. The Emperor and Carmesina, grief-stricken, also died. The Empire passed to the Empress and Hippolytus, who eventually married the daughter of the King of England.