fortuna de xaloch o de mig jorn hi ha, que les corrents hi son tant grans, e la mar hi caua tant fort, que res no hi ha durada: e ell ab la sua galea primera pensa dentrar ab los artimons borts en que hauia forats. E com les galees del duch les vaeren, totes comensaren a chiular, que volgren llevar los ferres, e no pogren. E axi les deu galees ab frare Roger entraren a Macina saluament e segura; mas no hi hach nul hom qui hagues sobre si fil exut . . . e axi Macina fo restaurada, e lendema lo duch llevas del setge, e tornasen a Cathania.
The above comparative study of Tirant lo Blanch
and that part of Muntaner's Chronica that deals with
Roger de Flor and the Catalan-Arragonese expedition
presents strong evidence that Martorell was acquainted
with Muntaner's work. But yet what a difference!
Were it not for the fact that Tirant reconquered practically
all the lost territory of the Greek empire and was
made Caesar of the empire, we should hardly associate
his name with that of Roger de Flor. Such being the
case, are not the statements that Roger de Flor's career
forms the principal source of this book rather misleading?
However that may be, we are willing to admit that the
martial and adventurous spirit of Roger de Flor and the
members of his expedition finds expression in Tirant lo
Blanch, and this constitutes the strongest resemblance.
- [Footnote: there is a strong wind from the southeast or the south, for the
currents there are so powerful and the sea rages so violently that nothing can stand it. And he decided to enter first with his own galley provided with large sails in which there were holes. And when the galleys of the duke saw them, all began to shout and they wished to raise the anchors but they were unable to do so. And thus the ten galleys with Brother Roger entered the harbor of Messina safely and securely, but there was not a man who had on him a dry thread . . . and thus Messina was relieved and the next day the duke raised the siege and returned to Catania. Chronica, chap. cxcvi.]
