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 CHAPTER V

TIRANT CONQUERS AND CHRISTIANIZES ALL BARBARY

Tirant's next field of operation is at Constantinople, which has already been discussed. It must be remembered that he began his work of freeing the Greek empire from the power of the Turks auspiciously. But on returning to his army by sea, his vessel was driven by a tempest to the African shores, where he was shipwrecked. After having conquered Barbary and brought about the conversion of many thousands to the Christian faith, he returned to Constantinople to complete the restoration of the empire. Consequently, there remains for us the task of ascertaining what historical basis underlies the story of the conquest of Barbary.

When the author began his work, the Portuguese were busy fighting the Moors in Africa. Prince Ferdinand of Portugal, who was Martorell's patron, according to the dedicatory letter, was at that very time taking part in the African campaigns. But, to our surprise, the conquest of Barbary does not reveal any significant traces of the Portuguese wars against the Moors. The valiant Moorish Governor, Sale ben Sale (Cale ben Cale in Tirant lo Blanch), plays an important rôle in resisting the Portuguese, but the reference that is made to him in Martorell's work is not in connection with the conquest of Barbary. He is mentioned in the William of Warwick episode as the successor of the Moorish king who was slain by the hermit-king. Tirant's conquest of Barbary and the war of the Portuguese against the Moors had one object in common, viz., the Christianization of northwestern Africa. With Tirant, it became the chief purpose; with