"But he is strong and valiant and brave when he sees he is not losing too badly, and by the faith I owe you, his chivalry is only marginally below the standard of Sir Gauvain, King Arthur's nephew. To be sure, if they were pitted against each other, and the one had to fight to the death against the other, it would be of great benefit to chivalry, as they are both churlish and obnoxious"

Prose Tristan