The helmes they tohewen and toshrede;
Out brest the blood with stierne stremes rede;
With myghty maces the bones they tobreste.
He thurgh the thikkeste of the throng gan threste;
Ther stomblen steedes stronge, and doun gooth al,
He rolleth under foot as dooth a bal;
He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun,
And he hym hurtleth with his hors adoun;
He thurgh the body is hurt and sithen ytake,
Maugree his heed, and broght unto the stake.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Knight’s Tale. Graphic descriptions of the bloody battle between the forces of Palamon and Arcite, with helmets shredding, blood flowing and bones breaking.