Tirant lo Blanch: A Knight’s Epic Journey Summary
Tirant in England
The novel begins with the story of Count William of Varoic, who has retired from worldly life to commend himself to God in a chapel. Tirant, travelling through England to attend the King’s wedding festivities, falls asleep on his horse, which strays from the group and leads him to the Count’s hermitage. There, Tirant receives advice from the hermit (the Count) and a treatise on chivalry. Starting on his way, Tirant promises the hermit he will return to tell him how events unfolded.
True to his word, Tirant and his companions later pass by the chapel on their return. Diafebus, Tirant’s cousin, informs the hermit of the deeds Tirant has performed with his weapons, proclaiming Tirant the best knight of the festivities. He explains how Tirant acquired great prestige and received the order of knighthood.
Tirant in Sicily and Rhodes
When Prince Philip of France learns that the Genoese have laid siege to the island of Rhodes, he and Tirant head towards the island to fight. Before arriving, they make a stay in Sicily, where Philip falls in love with Princess Ricomana. She, suspecting the prince’s virtue, tests him, with Tirant always in the middle trying to amend Philip’s awkward advances. Philip and Tirant continue their journey to Rhodes, where Tirant successfully helps lift the siege and defeat the enemies. Upon their return to Sicily, Ricomana continues her games, but thanks to a misunderstanding, finally cedes and agrees to marry Philip.
Tirant in the Greek Empire
The Emperor of Constantinople asks Tirant for help to fight the Turks. When Tirant arrives in Constantinople, he is appointed Captain General. He meets Princess Carmesina, the Emperor’s daughter, is captivated by her beauty, and falls madly in love. The princess’s governess, the Reposed Widow, consumed by envy and her own desires for Tirant, moves heaven and earth to prevent their love. Meanwhile, the maidservant Plaerdemavida helps the lovers meet secretly. Tirant, as a good knight, defeats the Turks several times, sometimes employing strategies learned from the book ‘Tree of Battles’.
Upon returning from one battle, Estefania and Diafebus marry in secret, later celebrating the marriage publicly. Elsewhere in the court, another love blossoms as Hippolytus falls in love with the Empress. Tirant, determined and recovered from his wounds, boards a galley to return to the battlefield, but he is very angry and disappointed due to the malice the Reposed Widow had told him about the Princess. Plaerdemavida talks to Tirant and denies the accusations. However, due to a storm, the galley sinks. Tirant and Plaerdemavida save their lives but are separated.
Tirant in North Africa
After the shipwreck, Tirant becomes a captive in North Africa but is soon freed due to his knightly virtue and prowess. He aids the local rulers, including Queen Maragdina, in battle against their enemies. The Queen is attracted to Tirant and declares her love, but he remains true to Carmesina. Influenced by Tirant, the Queen decides to convert to Christianity and is baptized. Many Saracens follow her example, and thus Tirant helps evangelize many non-believers. Later, Tirant and Plaerdemavida are reunited and prepare to return to Constantinople to defend it from the Turks.
Tirant’s Return to the Greek Empire and Finale
Upon learning that Tirant is returning, the Reposed Widow kills herself out of fear. Tirant achieves peace with the Turks through successful negotiations. The grateful Emperor gives Tirant the hand of his daughter, Carmesina, in marriage. However, by misfortune, Tirant falls ill and dies in Andrinópolis shortly after the wedding. The Emperor, severely affected by Tirant’s death and seeing so much regret, also passes away soon after. Afterwards, Carmesina, unable to endure the pain of losing her beloved and her father, also dies. The widowed Empress marries Hippolytus, who becomes the new Emperor. He ensures that the bodies of the lovers, Tirant and Carmesina, are buried with dignity.