The matrimonial dialogues of the Burgundy house and the love emblems at Tirant lo Blanc

Armorial mottoes played an important and ornamental role, and were used as a complement to heraldic emblems since they identified families or political affiliations. This article aims to establish a relationship between the poetic and symbolic levels that these armorial mottoes contain when they appear embroidered in the clothes of both Tirant lo Blanc and Carmesina in Joanot Martorell's novel, as they are accompanied by polite interchanges between historical characters belonging to the highest and most refined European royalty and aristocracy. An outstanding example of these exchanges is the dialogue between the armorial mottoes of Tirant and Carmesina (some of Tirant's mottoes are similar to those belonging to king Alfons el Magnanim). This dialogue takes its main inspiration from the Burgundian tradition of poetic and love words, used by the dukes on the occasion of their marriage.