Martin Krpan

[2] A Slovene subject of the Habsburg Empire and one of the strongest men in it, Martin Krpan hails from a fictional village in Inner Carniola, Hilltop by the Holy Trinity [church] (Vrh pri Sveti Trojici).

On one of his trips, after Krpan meets the imperial carriage on a snowbound road and makes way for it by simply picking up his laden horse and moving it aside, his extraordinary strength is noted by the Emperor John (cesar Janez).

Several years later, the Emperor summons Krpan to Vienna as his last hope against Brdaus (Slovene: Brdavs), a brutal Saracen warrior who has set up camp outside the imperial capital and issued a challenge to single combat, and has already slain most of the city's knights, including the Crown Prince.

Reluctantly, Krpan accepts the challenge, scandalizing the court with his uncouthness, honesty and homespun manner before defeating the brute in a duel by using not only his strength but an unexpected reserve of ingenuity.

In gratitude, the Emperor bestows him with pouch of gold pieces and - more valuably - a royal license to legally traffic in "English salt," as well an offer of his daughter's hand in marriage.