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_: