"El Salto del Rey Richalte"

Abstract

In his 1900 edition of El Conde Lucanor,' H. Knust pointed out the source of the episode known as el salto del Rey Richalte (Part 1, ex. 3). The reliability of the editor's erudition was such that his indication was unanimously accepted.2 Only recently Ayerbe-Chaux has raised some doubts about Knust's proposal;3 but his reservations are quite timid, and, not having a better suggestion, he ends up by accepting Knust's proposal. Yet this proposal should be rejected because it stands on too fragile ground; and it should be so whether or not a new source is found, although such a discovery would make the task easier. This is precisely the point of this note. Let us first see the text of Don Juan Manuel. As every reader remembers, the episode takes place at an unspecified port of the Holy Land. King Richard of England and Philippe August of France, heading their respective fleets, are at a stand-still in this harbor: the great number of enemies makes the Christian army reluctant to disembark. The French King invites his English counterpart onto his boat to discuss the best tactics for the attack. King Richard replies with what seems to be a confession. He is aware of having sinned and is now happy to have a chance to repay God wither with his own life or with a victory for his cause: