The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc

he went out to welcome him with all the city magistrates and many knights, and they paid him the highest honor they could, for he had been the best

e from the King of France. The duke asked if there was any news from the court, and they told him th

duke showed compassion for the Grand Master and the religious at Rhodes, and he told everyone there that he would send ambassadors to the King of France. Then, if the king wanted to s

they explained their mission, and he told them that in four days he would give them an answer. A month went by and they still did not know what he intended to do. Finally he told

ors, asking if he could do something. They told him that if he would go, he could help them very much, and

est of them all, whose name was Philippe, was somewhat unlearned, and was considered gauche, so the king thought very little of him, and no one ever spoke about

t lo Blanc: After the great honor he received in the battles he won in England, he is now preparing a large ship to go to Rhodes and to the holy land of Jerusalem. Oh, what glory it would be for you if you and I would l

dvice you are giving me is good," said Philip

e are such good friends that I will ask him to let me go along to the holy land of Jerusalem, and I'll ask him what

satisfied with t

o Tirant I'll get all the money

ey were very happy to see each other, and Tenebroso told him the reason for his visit. Tirant was highly pleased, fo

orldly goods, myself, the ship, and e

the happiest man in the world, and he gave

tly. Tenebroso set out again, riding until he was back with Philippe who was waiting for him in great anticipation. Philippe was very p

ueen's presence he begged him to allow him to go to Paris to see the

tever y

nt. Tirant was very surprised at this, but because they were so far out to sea, they had to continue on their course toward Portugal, and they arrived at the city of Lisbon. When the King of Portugal learned that Philippe, son of the King of France, was on the ship, he sent a knight who graciously begged him to come ashore to res

letters explaining what had happened to his son. When the King of France learned that his son was in such good company he was very pleased, and the q

saw the ship, all the vessels went into formation. They attacked it fiercely, and the combat lasted half a day, with many men from both sides dying. After Tirant's men had rested, they renewed the battle, a

d by that net of ropes, it would have been completely filled with stones and iron bars. In that way it was protected so that no stone could pass through it; instead, when a stone hit against the ropes, it bounced into the sea. What else did this sailor do? He took up all the mattresses that he found on the ship, and he covered the forecastles and the sides of the ship, and as the missiles fell on top of the mats they could not damage the ship. And he did still more. He took boiling oil and tar, and when the ships drew alongside, they threw the oil and boili

se and Moorish vessels until they were close to Tunis. There they decided to go to the island of Sicily to take on wheat. They went to the port of Palermo where the king and queen were, with their two sons and a very beautiful daughter named Ricomana, a very intelligent maiden of many vi

at that moment Tirant's words, they mentioned that Philippe, son of the King of France, was there, in the company of Tirant lo Blanc. When the king heard that Philippe was on that ship, he had a great wooden bridge, covered with cloth and satin, constructed from land to the ship. And to pay him honor,

h very nice quarters, and had them served excellent d

the king was very pleased. When they were upstairs in the palace, the queen, along with her daughter, the princess, received t

of her great virtue. And by speaking with the infanta everyday at the king's court, Philippe grew very enamored of her, as she did of him. But Philippe was so shy when he was in h

esty, and when you are present he is overcome with love, and finds it difficult to speak. In truth, I tell you, if I were a woman and I f

hat pleasure would it be for a maiden to have everyone laugh at him. For love's sake, don't tell me such t

ure I have only to speak of Your Majesty. If this isn't love, tell me, what could it be? My lady, love someone who loves you. He is the son of a king, like you, and he loves you more than his life. If he does not talk as much as Your Grace would like, that is a virtue. Guard yourself, my lady, from those men

f you, and that's why I think highly of you. But don't imagine that I'm a woman who is easily convinced. I have to put my hands in up to the elbows in the sense of knowing his manners, his

his son). And I also see ambassadors from the King of Naples, the King of Hungary, and the King of Cyprus. Although I may not have the power of the most Christian King of France, I would like to talk to your father and Your Hig

upted their delightful conversation. Afte

of you and your chivalrous deeds, and the king wishes to place an

ll surely come out of it with honor. But to avoid all do

unless Your Highness can give me a clearer explanation. But whatever I can do for Your Excellency, with

nd the infanta, and when he was at his lodgings he was sorry tha

rus, but that it had not been able to land at Rhodes, because there were so many Moors that held it besieged on land and sea. Many Genoese vessels were guarding the port, and the city of Rhodes was in such straits that they had no bread to eat. It had been thre

with wheat and other victuals, and embark to give aid to Rhodes. He quickly sent for merchan

ed of this he sent

ould like to go with you to Jerusalem (in disguise so that no one would recognize me). That would please me more than if you g

had finished

ved you all my life. As for going on my ship, my lord, the ship, my possessions, and myself al

he asked for his room to be prepared near the mast,

Tirant wanted to arrange a marriage between him and the infanta, and for him to have the d

hinks. If she agrees, then I will consent to the marriage. I will be very happy to talk to

is daughter brought to his c

am taking along only one gentleman to serve me. And because my life and death are in the hands of God, our Heavenly Father, I would like to see you well married, my daughter. If you like the king's

aded and it's ready to weigh anchor. In that time, Your Highness, with the counsel of my uncle and your brother

er," said the king, "and w

m will be more willing to serve you when you are at sea, and besides if it reaches the ears of the King of France, he will know that Your Highness is showing consideration to his son, Philip

planning my journey, and I want to leave the kingdom in such a good state that no one will note my departure, and besides there coul

ought in, and he told them to do everything his daughter,

dishes were chosen. Now the infanta held this celebration s

that the Duke of Messina, Tirant, and all the counts and barons and others would eat at a table below the king's. The evening before the celebration the

nd, as did the Duke of Messina to Tirant, and they went to the church. When the king was at his chapel, they asked his permission to accompany the queen and his daughter, and the king gave his consent. As they

at in the center of the table with the queen at his side. To honor Philippe, the king had him sit at the head of the tab

ssina is waiting for you, and he do

m to take a seat, because at a feast like this

nd with a rather cross look

the time, Tirant. In my father, the king's house, there are

atedly and saw that he had to leave, he put

etting up and then kneeling and holding the vessel for him, y

y, said that it was not seemly. Then he knelt and attempted to hold the dish for her, but she refused to wash until they both washed together. Then the bread was brought and placed before the king and the others, and no one touched it as they waited for the dinner to be brought. When Philippe saw the bread before him he quickly took a knife, and picking up a loaf of bread he cut through it

have stained his honor wit

understood the reason for the outbursts of laughter. Tirant quickly picked up the slices of bread; then he reached into his pocket, took out twelve gold ducats and put one ducat on e

I have finished what I must

ts ducat, and he put the last one to his mouth, said

y much to know ab

t ans

rist our Lord, began this tradition: Before any of their children entered the order of chivalry, they were not allowed to eat the first loaf of bread that was put in front of them at dinner until they had cut it into twelve slices, and placed a silver "real" on each one, and had given it to the poor in me

s the most beautiful I've ever heard of. I'm a crown

saw what he had done wrong and how discreetly Tirant had remedied it,

o one of her ladies whom she deeply trusted, and with

t, why do you make me so mad? You must know how nice it is to be alone with the person you love. Now, poor me, when I want to sleep I cannot, nig

d sparked many flames in Philippe's heart. While the infanta had this sad

the king, seeing such gri

y daughter? Why

bout to leave. What am I to do all alone? Who will

best he could. Then they went to the quee

ll me what you think

lip

going on this holy pilgrimage, I feel that this marriage shou

explained all the details of the marriage pact, if the king would agree. The Ki

he had the news spread that he was going to Rome to talk to the Pope. That night Tirant had the king and Philippe brought on his ship, and when all the men were

it drew near it unfurled all its sails. This, and the shape of the ship, made the Genoese realize that it was not one of theirs, and they hurried to prepare to attack. But the ship was so close that none of their ships had time to raise their sails, and this ship s

ships at sea, and they were in dire straits until a sailor quickly took one of Tirant's flags and raised it. When the people from the city saw the flag they stopped fighting. Then one of the men

ing on a holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and to ask if they would be safe on his land. The Grand Master promised to keep their presence secret. Then the king and Philippe disembarked, in disguise, and went to the rooms that were prepared for them. Tirant then went on land, well-outfitted. When Tirant was with the Grand Master they talked at length. The Gra

to have it distributed among all the people, and he said there was still more for the cas

oese ships-especially the captain's ship-were very close to land

row night, set fire to the ship that's so close to sho

Tirant, "I would gladly give h

as a knight, to give them to me, I will do everything I c

ring if you don't do it, will be punishment enough for you. As for me, I promise you on my order of

ld do it, with all the skill he had both on sea and

ke at length about the war and about many things regarding the city which I will not go into so

ral days, that my lord, the Grand Master, should make a gift for the sultan of many diff

nd him four hundred hot loaves of bread straight from the oven, wine, honey and sugar sweetmea

aw the present, h

o sent it! This will bring the perdit

the sailor had everything ready to set the c

took a very sharp knife so that he could cut any cords he needed to, and he put it in back of him so it wouldn't bother him when he swam. He attached one end of the cord to the knife sheath, and he told the men in the boat to keep feeding him line. When everything was ready he slipped into the water, and swam until he was so close to the ship that he could hear the men on watch talki

on the ring. And the sailor knew that the other end of the rope was in the boat. When he thought it was time, they rowed back to land. He tied one end of the rope to the

to move when suddenly it was flush against the side of the ship. With the huge fire on it sending out enormous tongues of flame, it quickly set fire to the ship with such a fury that nothing in the world could have put it out. The men on t

to the sailor, along with a silk garment lined with martens and a b

er had sent him to show how well supplied the city was with everything it needed and more. And as winter was setting in, the cold weat

, and the ships to raise their sails and come near the

is men he left the city and went to the camp. He set fire to the palisad

ion's den where he died horribly. Then they chose another sultan. The new sultan ordered all the Genoese ships to form a large armada with all the men who had come from Rhodes, along with many more,

xteen thousand small children, and sent them all to Turkey, to the land of the sultan, to be

des was freed from th

her victuals, and they took it all to Rhodes because of the great hunger there. Many other places also sent supplies. And in a short time the city an

wheat, and carrying pilgrims to the holy land of Jerusalem. When Tirant learned a

nd Philippe and Tiran

ded the Venetian gall

, for all the othe

lative, did not want

o he could s

ouble. All the pilgrims disembarked there and found good guides: there was a guide for every ten people. When they were in Jerusalem together, they stayed two weeks to vis

's arrival. The king asked about the queen's health, and about his daughter and two sons, and his brother, the duke. They answered tha

rom the sea voyage. After they had rested, the king and all

ccompanied by all the ladies of honor in the city; then, after a moment, the infanta Ricomana came with all her maidens and those of the city, very well dressed, and they were

to the queen. Philippe took the infanta's arm, and they went to the palace. On the way the forty ambas

to go and pay reverence to the

ance, his father, to go to the king and give him the letters they were bringing after they had paid obeisan

" said the ambassadors, "w

they gave him the letters. The king received them very warmly, and paid them great honor. Then they went to Philippe and ho

ng of Sicily had a son, he would give a daughter of his to him as his wife, together with one hundred thousand crowns as a dowry. Third, that he had asked the pope, the emperor, and all the princes of Christianity to send him aid, because he had decided to march aga

arriage was concerned he was very pleased

ather had consented to her marriage

gauche or avaricious, he will never be my husband. From now

a maiden in whom she had complete confide

r Highness thinking about that

nta answ

e is, in the slightest, I wouldn't be able to stay in the same bed with him for an hour; instead I would become a nun or go into a convent. I've done everything I could to get to know him, but because of

, he dressed up in elegant clothing, and he wore man

rs, and everyone who held a title in his land to dine. When the king was sitting a

nd out what I

the king and queen. Then came the collation. The king went into his chambers to

s the skies cleared and the sun ca

't it be a fine idea for us t

quickly

gh the city in this terrible weather? If i

signal Tirant was making, and she became very angry. She ordered the horses brought out, and they all sent for the animals. When the inf

of clothes so that th

Don't worry about your clothing. If this

aren't two pages who will carry my coatta

ant, "you're very stingy! Hurry a

While the infanta, who had been watching th

iserly Philippe were getting wet, and how he was always looking at them. The infanta, to have more pleasur

. "This is no time for hunting. There's

d the infanta. "This oaf still

and found a peasant. She took him aside and asked him if

om here, you'll find a large canal t

t what I'm

ater, the infanta rode through it, and Philippe stayed behind and asked Ti

ive you mine. The infanta has gone through and

hilippe had been telling him a joke. When they had gone throu

riding, and now as we went through the water. He asked me what love is and where it comes from. The second thing he said to me is: Where does love abide? I tell you,

to the city," s

othes were already soaked, was unconcerned as they rode through the water. And the infanta was very much relieved, and beli

ious. And I want to tell you in all truth, Tirant, that my fortune has always been adverse. Now if I take this man for a husband, and he turns out not to p

quickly

n who saw him, loved him and wanted to serve him. If you doubt it, look at his face, his hands, his feet, and his entire body. And if you would like to see him completely naked, I can arrange that too, my lady. I know that Your Highness loves him deeply, f

have someone who would please me. But what use would it be if I h

France. When he saw his daughter he took her by the hand and asked where she had been. Dinner was ready,

ht, and he left without a word so that he would not disturb his daughter's pleasure. And as it began to rain the infanta sent word to the king, asking

tay there that night to sleep because most of the night was already past. Phili

k hold of his c

te's, wish for you to stay here, t

nt s

here to give them pleasure, and I'll

ause in the house of my father, my brother, the infante,

came with torches and asked Philippe if it was his desire to go to sleep. And he answered that he would do whatever his lady, the infanta, and her br

model. When the brocade canopy was finished, the two beds were placed next to each other, and the coverlet was of the same brocade. And on it they put the sheets for the

he had slightly torn his stocking, and he thought that his servants would not come as soon as he would get up in the morning. The pages had be

needle and a little

nt to the infanta, and she had them give him a needle with a little thread. The page took it to him, and found

sked for the needle because of the blister. He put it on the bed where he had decided to sleep. Philippe then took off his clothing

nd of the bed to another. He gloomily lifted the coverlet, and he twisted and turned it so much that it fell on the floor. Then he lifted up the sheets and tore

me to sleep in the other one inst

ay down in the bed of rich covers. The infanta, wh

gauche and avaricious he would not dare sleep in a bed like this one, but instead would lie down in the other which is more plain. He has done something quite different: he has torn apart the plaines

hought, she lef

ught him more clothing so that he could change. When the infanta was dressed and still

l manners, and that he is very generous. Until now I felt very hesitant about giving my consent t

, and he was the happiest man in

truth. I am going to speak with my lord, the king, immedi

f the infanta and went

e place, or give the ambassadors your leave so that they can return to their king. And if it will not make Your Majesty angry to have

the king, "that will please me. I beg you to go to

und her combing her hair, and he told her about the conv

virtue, so I am putting this entire matter in your hands, and I

ed the infanta to have the maidens leave because he wanted to tell her other things in Philippe's presence. The i

Tirant opened the door to the

serve your ladyship than all the princesses in the world, and so I b

d to tell me? Your face reveals what you bear in your heart. W

in his arms, and carried her to a lounge that was the

of you as a brother and you have put me in the hands of someone I am still u

in that bed where he slept this evening, completely nude, or in your chemise? You can be certain that this would be the greatest blessing in t

He keep me from an error like that. I would think of

, "Philippe and I are

grace have a l

ed to make use of his own resources. The infanta c

e queen to mass. And there, before mass, they were engaged. The following Sunday the wedding was held with great cerem

very pleased with Tirant, and much more with Philippe

the men six months' wages. Tirant bought a galley, but he refused to accept wages or to associate with anyone, because he intended to act on his own. When the galleys were

of Corsica where they found the King of France. There they took on water, and they approached the great city of Tripoli in Libya before dawn, and no one in the entire armada knew where they were going with the exception of the king. But when they saw the king

gave his consent. Tirant placed himself at the feet of the priest who was saying mass, and knelt down, and the p

honor, I make my vow to God and all the saints in paradise, and to my lord, the Duke of Brittany

o write his name on the ga

he would go so near the wall that he

ke a Moorish maiden from her mother's side, that he would put her on

e would place a flag on the

l will are engendered, for the sin of envy has many branches. Many were moved by the desire to make Tirant bre

emselves near the sea to stop the Christians from reaching land. All the galleys p

lley to head in to land, prow first. When he felt the ship touch land, Tirant, who was standing, armed, on the prow, jumped into the water. The Moors s

t was where Tirant stood. Virtue, goodness, strength and wisdom were in the king and his men who, as valiant knights, climbed down the ladders, and their haste

ere unable to take more. All the knights fulfilled their vows on those five streets that they took, and they loaded the ships and

therein lay the great dan

beached, and its ladder was on land, waiting for Tirant to board. A knight who was searching for honor, and who well

r feet were the first to touch this cursed land. But don't forget how I defended you many times from danger. Let me go on board the galle

us if both of us die at the hand of these infidels, and I'm sure that our souls will be saved if we die with our

stones that were being hurled at them. When Ricart saw that Tirant was going up to the shore

since I see how great your courage is, do this: Put your foo

wanted to give him part of the honor, so he put his right foot on the ladder. The

sion about these two

his vow, and the king

n Ricart saw that t

t, he

noble knights make a decision about this. It is well known that after all the men had retreated, Tirant and I stayed behind alone on the shore. He and I argued at length about who would be the first to go on board. When he saw that I did not want to, he put his foot on the ladder before I did. And so, my lord, may it please

ng ans

if he does not listen to all sides first, a

ngside the king's ship. When he came aboard, the king was in his chambers,

ht than you are, I offer to do battle with you to the

hard blow. The noise they raised was so loud that the king had to come up with his sword in hand. When Tira

n the flash of an angry sword before his eyes, and now he wants to fight me to the death over nothing. If he defeats me he will have defeated a

een able to put his hands on him at that moment, because he committed such an outrageous act

ed Cyprus they went to the city of Famagusta, took provisions of food and turned toward Tunis. There the king disembarked and they pressed the city hard in combat. Tirant and his men attacked a tower which had a deep moat at its foot, and

ou death or life. God forbid that I should let you di

ly have killed him if they had found him t

eath as well as you can, because you can be sure t

t you saved me from a cruel death. I kneel to the ground and beg your forgiveness for the way

d was happy to be his friend, and from that time on they w

king's ship, but went on Tirant's galley instead. When the king and the knights hear

her many presents and held her hand all day long and would not let her leave his side. And as long as the King of France remained there, each day, before the infanta arose, he would send her some expensive gift: one day brocades, another silks, gold chains, trinkets, and other jewels of great value. The King of Sicily presented the King of France with one hundred very beautiful and unique horses, which the King of France made a great show of appre

eave of the King of Sicily, the queen and the infanta, and departed, taking the Prince of

e other coast of Cadiz, Tarifa and Gibraltar, they went by Cartagena, for in those days the entire coast was in the hands of the Moors. From there they went by the islands of Ibiza and Majorca, and then they went to the port of Marseille to disembark

Philippe begged his father, the King of France, to send for Tirant to accompany him to Sicily. The king wrote letters to the Duke of Brittany and to Tirant, asking him to go with Philippe to Sicily, and asking the duke to plead with him earnestly. W

ys well stocked. They boarded them, and had such a good voyage that in a few days t