When Clamadeus saw his enemy coming he arrogantly imagined he’d have him out  of his saddle in no time. The plain was fine and level, and there was no one there but  the two of them: he’d disbanded his army and sent them away. Both knights had their  lances lowered, fixed in their rests before their saddle-bows, and they charged at each  other without a challenge or wasting words. Both had piercing heads on ashwood shafts, stout and good to handle, and the knights were strong and their chargers swift, and they were filled with mortal hatred. They exchanged such blows that they smashed their shields and shattered their lances and brought each other down; but up they leapt in an instant and straight to the attack, and fought with swords for a long while, and it was an even contest.

Perceval, the Story of the Grail