Tirant lo Blanc I

Joanot Martorell was born into a noble family that would lose its wealth during his lifetime. He was notoriously chivalrous, and engaged in many disputes and duels in defense of his honor. This trait carried through to the characters in his famous work Tirant lo Blanc. Martorell experienced financial difficulties later in life and resorted to mercenary work, as he was as skilled with weapons as he was with words, which created problems between him and the law.