Joanot Martorell

Title page of the first Castilian-language translation of Tirant lo Blanc, printed in Valladolid by Diego de Gumiel

Joanot Martorell (Valencian pronunciation: [dʒuaˈnɔd maɾtoˈɾeʎ]; Valencia, 1410ca – 1465) was a Valencian knight and the author of the novel Tirant lo Blanch, written in the Valencian language (Martorell calls it vulgar llengua valenciana) and published at Valencia in 1490.

It deals with the adventures of a knight in the Byzantine Empire. Miguel de Cervantes, in the book burning scene of Don Quixote, says "I swear to you, my friend, it's the best book of its kind in the world".

Martorell apparently was a chivalrous man and suffered an early death due to court intrigue, leaving the novel unfinished. It was prepared for publication by his friend and colleague, Martí Joan de Galba.

It is considered to be one of the first works of alternative history.

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