Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical settingVaeth, Joseph Anthony
History
Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical setting
Vaeth, Joseph Anthony
Martorell, Joanot, -1468. Tirant lo Blanch
Some time prior to this the Senyora had bought a certain female slave
on account of her great skill in embroidering. When this slave learned
that Tirant and Senyor Dagramunt were in command of the Christian
forces, she asked permission to go out and plead with them to spare
the city. She spoke so confidently of the success of her mission that
her request was granted. Disguising herself, she went to Tirant, and
in long speeches she pleaded for the inhabitants of Montagata. When
she finally told him the story of his life, he was mystified. He
begged her to tell him how it came that she knew so much about him.
When she answered that she was Plaer de mi Vida, he threw himself on
his knees before her, and embraced and kissed her several times as
a sign of true love. Then Tirant immediately gave orders that it be
proclaimed that all the inhabitants were pardoned, and that they would
be permitted to profess and practice the religion that they preferred.
When the keys of the city were delivered to him, he gave them to
Plaer de mi Vida, who was led in triumphal procession into the palace
and made Senyora of Montagata. She ruled over the city for a week and
then abdicated in favor of the former Senyora, who became a Christian
and all her subjects likewise. Tirant persuaded Plaer de mi Vida to
accept Senyor Dagramunt as husband, and after their marriage he placed
them as king and queen over the conquered provinces of Fez and Bugia
[Bougie]. Tirant continued his victorious campaign until finally there
was but one city in all Barbary that had not been captured. This was
the city of Caramen, in which three Moorish kings had taken refuge.
He sent ambassadors to request them to leave Caramen and the soil of
Barbary. The answer he received was one of defiance. A great battle was
fought in which the Moors were defeated, and they went back into the
strongly fortified city, where they resisted the violent attacks of the
Christians for a whole year. But finally one thousand of Tirant’s men
succeeded in entering the city by means of a mine, and these opened the
city gates, on the outside of which divisions of the Christian army
were waiting. These poured into the city and annihilated the Moors.
This was the last stand made by the infidels against the victorious
Christians. And now Tirant’s purpose was accomplished; all Barbary was
conquered. (Chaps. 350-387, 394)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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