Passages that are all about blood, action, or incredible physical performance.
Violence
A Killer Priest
“The bishop showed his mettle; heavens, how well he fought! Two he killed with his lance, five with his sword!” […]
Violence
Viking
A Certain Kind of Dignity
““Much turns out otherwise than one expects. I had thought to sleep with Thora Skagadottir, the earl’s wife” – and he shook his member and then pulled up his trousers.” […]
Viking
A Reluctant Killer
“In his hall Frothi, lying regally on a couch upholstered in cloth and gold, was challenged to combat by one Hunding.” […]
Violence
A Kiss or a Kill
THE SCENE: After the Spanish General El Cid defeated the army of King Bucar of Morocco, he pursued the fleeing monarch to the sea. After cornering Bucar, El Cid offered him one chance at surrender: […]
Violence
Sacred Ground is No Safety from the Wrath of God
“They tumbled down from the tower and became stuck on the points of the standing lances. With arrows flying into them, they breathed their last and carried off their miserable souls in sorrow to hell.” […]
Viking
To Kiss a Viking
“He hewed off his lip and chin all the was down so that his teeth flew out of his head.” […]
Viking
A Clumsy Assassin
“He had tasseled shoe-laces, as was the custom then, and one of the laces had become untied so that the tassel trailed along the ground.” […]
Violence
When It Shall be OK to Torture
“What a splendid deed! The plunderers themselves were plundered and the torturers tortured with the same or even more pain than they had used to torture others.” […]
Viking
Hard Fighting Aboard Ship
“Herraud seized a large beam from the deck and smashed him in the nose, so that his helmet visor was driven into his face, his nose broken and all his teeth knocked out.” […]
Violence
Grinding Out a Win
“And the rays of the sun, falling on the damp garments of the barbarians, made a cloud of vapor rise up to the heavens, inspiring hope and trust in the people of God, the clarity and serenity of whose countenance shone upon them.” […]