THE SCENE: While visiting the court of a foreign king, Sir Didrik of Bern summons his muscular stable boy to come to the palace. He quickly discovers, though, that there is a downside to having a stable boy who refuses to let anything come between him and the discharge of his appointed duties.
THE TEXT: When I was coming to you just now, the porter closed the gates in front of me. So I kicked the gate with my foot so that the iron broke to pieces, and the gate fell all to pieces. Then servants and cooks came out and wanted to fight with me. As I had nothing in my hands to defend myself with, I took hold of one them by the feet who was running towards me, and at once struck two of the others down so that all the others fled. And the one whose feet I was holding was almost dead. Then I let him go. Now I expect that the king will be angry when he finds out, so you will also answer for this if anyone blames me.
– The Saga of Didrik of Bern, 15th Century AD
