I specialized in medieval Christianity, so I spent most of my time reading theological tracts instead of fiction. Whenever I do delve into literature, it's always refreshing because it depicts daily life and society. And here's what I usually get: Life was fucking violent as hell, particularly in the early period. Take the chapter titles from this book about King Arthur and the Round Table:

How tidings came to Arthur that King Riencce had overcome eleven kings, and how he desired Arthur's beard to decorate his mantle.
How Balin was pursued by Sir Lanceor, knight of Ireland, and how he jousted and slew him.
How King Arthur had a battle against Nero and King Lot of Orkney, and how King Lot was deceived by Merlin, and how twelve kings were slain.
How a sorrowful knight came before Arthur, and how that knight was slain by a knight invisible.
How Balin met with that knight named Garlon at a feast, and there he slew him to have his blood to heal therewith the son of his host.
How a knight slew his love and a knight lying by her, and after how he slew himself with his own sword, and how Balin rode toward a castle where he lost his life.
How the hart was chased into a castle and there slain, and how Gawain slew a lady.
How Sir Lancelot rode with the damsel and slew a knight that distressed all ladies and also a villain that kept a bridge.
How Beaumain fought and slew two knights at a passage.
How at night came an armed knight, and fought with Sir Gareth, and he, sore hurt in the thigh, smote off the knight's head.
How that said knight came again the next night and was beheaded again.
How Sir Tristan and Iseult were in prison, and how he fought for her beauty, and smote off another lady's head.^*

I didn't even put in much effort to find these. I literally just flipped through a few pages and got them because on every single page something ridiculous happens. It got to the point of ludicrous. People would just be traveling, see another knight, and be like, "Well, I guess we have to fight then." Why? Why not just keep on journeying? Why do you have to just fight it out? Why can't you just live your lives?

^* Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur Volume 1, ed. by Janet Cowen (New York: Penguin, 1969).