Hostages in the Middle Ages, by Adam J. Kosto
Guy Geltner
For most of recorded history, the giving hostages was integral to way polities safeguarded settlement their disputes. From Antiquity cusp modernity treaties designed obviate battle or define terms upon which a war would end often stipulated number and kind be presented by one party another, either as surety for compliance penalty violating agreed-upon terms. Throughout middle ages, premiss such transactions trust, formalised sometimes ritualised taking religious oath. Accordingly, capacity receive, well offer, in this period reflected parties’ relative power prestige. But pre-modern hostageship, Adam J. Kosto’s meticulous richly documented study shows, played other roles well. As third-party guarantors, were used facilitate safe passage, secure putative loyalty, enable release prisoners, ensure payment debts, even provide political education scions losing parties. Through beyond these routine functions, bond-creating qualities hostageship offers an insight into medieval society’s structure values, tracing its history illuminates transition not only modernity, but also, perhaps especially, between early later ages.
The English Historical Review