Why is Tirant lo Blanc considered an important chivalric romance?

Tirant lo Blanc (c. 1460), written by Joanot Martorell, is considered a significant work of chivalric romance primarily due to its departure from purely fantastical tropes.

The novel is notable for its grounding in reality, as it draws its themes from the actual historical adventures of the Catalans in the Middle East, as recorded in the chronicles of Ramon Muntaner. By incorporating these authentic historical experiences into a narrative framework, the work distinguishes itself from other romances of the period, which often relied more heavily on idealized or mythical elements.1