Medieval Glossary
Ransom
Payment to release someone who has been captured. During battles members of the nobility, knights, and other persons of importance were often thought to be too valuable to kill. Such persons were taken prisoner and then ransomed. In the case of a feudal lord's capture, his vassals were obligated to contribute aid for his ransom.
Related term(s): Aid; Feudal Obligation; Nobility; Knight; Lord; Vassal
Category: Feudalism
Added: 12.04.04
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