Passages that are all about blood, action, or incredible physical performance.
Viking
A Regretful Do-Gooder
“He tied their dead bodies to planks and stretched them upright in such a way that they seemed to be standing.” […]
Violence
Eastern Europe
Warming Up with Some Bull-Killing
“The bull ran past the youth, and he seized the beast’s flank with his hand. He thus pulled off the skin along with as much flesh as he could grasp. Then Vladimir remarked, “You are well qualified to do combat with the champion.”” […]
Orient
For the Blood is the Life
“After he had slain an enemy, [he] put his lips to his throat, and sucked his blood.” […]
Viking
Vagn Keeps His Vows
“The blow went over Vagn causing Thorkel to stumble. He lost his grip on the sword which cut the rope and set Vagn free. Vagn sprang up, seized the sword and slew Thorkell.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Trouble With Cannibals
“It is said to be their custom that when anyone of their fellows, whether man or woman, is sick, a man’s closest friends kill him, saying that if wasted by disease he will be lost to them as meat.” […]
Violence
Sworn through Sword
“Both lances were broken. They both leapt off their horses and drew their swords. They came together and fought so bravely that neither wanted to flee from the other, not even as far as a foot is wide.” […]
History
Roland’s Mighty Blow
“Down through the saddle with gold inlaid, till sank in the living horse the blade, severed the spine where no joint was found, and horse and rider lay dead on ground.”
[…]
Greek and Roman
A “Bone-Deep” Commitment to Rooting out Corruption
“The sentence was immediately executed, and the skin of the culprit nailed upon the seat of judgment, as an awful warning to others to avoid a similar offence.” […]
Britons and Celts
Bloodthirsty Gawain
“Gawain swung round and, with the sword which he brandished, clove him through the helm and head to his chest, bidding him, when he got to hell, to tell Quintillianus that this was why the Britons were so good at boasting and making threats.” […]
Britons and Celts
A Man and His Caliburn
“He drew his sword Caliburn, called up on the name of the Blessed Virgin, and rushed forward at full speed into the thickest ranks of the enemy. Every man whom he struck, calling upon God as he did so, he killed in a single blow.” […]