Ransom

Ransoms were payments made to the captors of a defeated individual either in battle or in a tournament for their return. This ransom could be monetary or simply the possessions, armour and/or horse of the captured combatant.

During certain parts of medieval history ransoms were a important part of an engagement. For a soldier it could mean a great deal of money as he was allowed to keep two thirds of the ransom for himself and gave 1/3 to his captain. The captain would give 1/3 of his share to the commander. The commander, in turn, would give 1/3 of his share to his sovereign.

As time progressed they became less important. At Agincourt many minor nobles were executed rather than taken captive and only the very wealthy were spared.

Ransoms in the SCA

The SCA tries to recreate this in various ways. One is a special melee scenario where every combatant is given a ransom value and a starting 'fund' (commonly chocolate coins). If a fighter is defeated during the melee, then they must pay their worth in ransom to the victor/s. When the fund can no longer pay a ransom amount, then the fighter must withdraw from the melee.

The ransom value varies according to the rank and positions held by each fighter. Accordingly, royal peers are worth more than other peers, who are worth more than other fighters. There is a ransom melee each year at the William Marshall tourney in Stormhold.