PART II
AUTHORSHIP OF TIRANT LO BLANCH
CHAPTER I
IN WHAT LANGUAGE WAS TIRANT LO BLANCH FIRST WRITTEN?
The caption of the dedicatory letter in Tirant lo Blanch
is conceived in the following words:
A honor, lahor e gloria de nostre senyor deu
Jesu crist: e de la gloriosa sacratissima verge
Maria, mare sua, senyora nostra. Comença la
letra del present libre appellat tirant lo blanch,
dirigida per mossen Johanot martorell caualler al
serenissimo princep don Ferrando de portogal.[1]
In this letter we are told that Prince Ferdinand found
great delight in the contemplation of heroic deeds. His
most enthusiastic admiration was called forth by the
feats of that famous hero, Tirant lo Blanch, who outshone
all other knights as the sun outshines all other planets.
But, according to this letter, the story of that great
knight was written in the English language. Prince
Ferdinand wished to have it translated into Portuguese,
and since he knew that Martorell had spent some time in
England, he considered him well qualified to do the work.
Accordingly he asked him to translate the book.
- ↑ To the honor, praise and glory of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, and of the glorious most blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, Our Lady. Here beginneth the dedicatory letter of this book entitled Tirant lo Blanch, addressed by Sir Johanot Martorell, Knight, to the most serene Prince Ferdinand of Portugal.
