From the poem Beowulf... Ecgðeow is a praiseworthy warrior. Why? He's brave and renowned in battle and all the rest of it. But what marks him out for particular praise is this: he wasn't guilty of friendly fire. He successfully managed not to take out his own side:
nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas
["nay-all-es drunk-nuh slog hay-orth-yuh-nay-at-as"]
He didn't at all slay his heath-companions when he was drunk.
nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas
["nay-all-es drunk-nuh slog hay-orth-yuh-nay-at-as"]
He didn't at all slay his heath-companions when he was drunk.
Great. Well done, Ecgðeow!
(ll.2179-2180)
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