A Guide to Striking it Rich in the Middle Ages
TLDRIn this History Squad video, Kevin Hicks explores the distribution of ransom and plunder in English medieval armies. He explains the 'rule of thirds,' where a common soldier could keep two-thirds of the spoils, with the remaining third passing up the chain to the captain, garrison commander, and finally the king. Hicks uses historical records to illustrate how soldiers could amass significant wealth through capturing high-value prisoners and selling their belongings. He also discusses the challenges of holding onto this wealth, with examples of soldiers having to sell their spoils due to external pressures like disease and food shortages. The video highlights the motivations of medieval soldiers, from the knight's chivalric duty to the common bowman's desire for adventure and profit.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ In medieval England, ransom and plunder were significant incentives for soldiers, especially弓men, to join the army.
- 🧶 Plunder referred to stolen goods such as household items, clothing, and valuables, while ransom involved capturing high-ranking enemies and demanding payment for their release.
- 🤝 When capturing a high-ranking enemy, soldiers were required to hand them over to the king or his representative but would receive a reward.
- 🏹 Common soldiers, like弓men, could keep two-thirds of the ransom or plunder proceeds, with the remaining third going to their captain, who in turn paid a portion up the chain to the king.
- 📜 The division of ransom and plunder was governed by a 'rule of thirds,' ensuring a fair distribution among the ranks.
- 🏰 Capturing a wealthy knight could lead to a substantial ransom, but it might take time to collect, potentially leaving the prisoner in the captor's custody for an extended period.
- 🏥 Soldiers had to be strategic in holding onto their ransom earnings, as external factors like disease or food shortages could force them to sell or sacrifice their gains.
- 🎯 For nobility, fighting was a duty and raison d'être, whereas for common弓men, it was about adventure, prestige, and the chance for financial gain through ransom and plunder.
- 🌍 Despite the challenges, soldiers found ways to bring their spoils of war back home, as evidenced by the possessions of women in England after military campaigns.
- 📖 Historical records, such as Froissart’s Chronicles, provide insight into the distribution and impact of ransom and plunder on the lives of soldiers and their families.
Q & A
How was ransom and plunder typically shared in an English medieval army?
-The rule of thirds was commonly followed: the common soldier, such as a bowman, would keep two-thirds of the proceeds, while one-third was handed over to their captain, who in turn would pay one-third to his captain, and so on, up to the king.
What items could be considered as plunder during medieval times?
-Plunder could include anything from household items like beds and fur coats to valuables such as gold and precious artifacts.
What was the significance of a knight saying 'je me rend' and 'parole' during a battle?
-When a knight said 'je me rend' (I surrender) and offered 'parole', it meant that they were giving their word of honor not to escape, in exchange for being spared from immediate harm or execution.
What happened if a soldier captured a high-ranking individual like a king or a prince?
-Captured high-ranking individuals such as kings, princes, or high-ranking officers had to be handed over to the king or the king's representative immediately, but the captor would still receive a reward.
How did the system of ransom and plunder incentivize soldiers to participate in wars?
-The potential to earn a significant portion of ransom money or the value of plunder provided a strong financial incentive for soldiers, especially commoners like bowmen, to join and fight in wars.
What challenges did soldiers face in holding onto their ransom or plunder?
-Soldiers had to be cautious about keeping their ransom or plunder, as there were risks such as theft, the need to sell off items quickly due to logistical issues like food shortages, and the uncertainty of receiving ransom payments, especially for wealthier captives.
What was the historical example of a high ransom demand mentioned in the script?
-King John of France had a ransom set at three million gold crowns after being captured at the Battle of Poitiers.
How did common soldiers manage to bring their plunder back home?
-While the exact methods are not known, it is evident from historical records that soldiers were successful in bringing plunder back home, as evidenced by the presence of items from conquered territories in the households of England.
What was the role of ransom and plunder in motivating English and Welsh men to serve in the king's armies during medieval times?
-For the lower ranks, ransom and plunder served as a significant incentive to join the army, offering not only adventure and a chance to elevate their social status but also the possibility of substantial financial gain.
How did the division of ransom and plunder affect the hierarchy within an army?
-The division of ransom and plunder reinforced the military hierarchy, with each level of command receiving a portion of the proceeds, ultimately benefiting the king and maintaining the structure of authority within the army.
What was the impact of ransom and plunder on the economy and society of the time?
-Ransom and plunder contributed to the circulation of wealth and valuables, influencing the economy and potentially leading to social mobility for those who managed to keep and bring home their earnings.
Outlines
🏹 Ransom and Plunder in Medieval England
This paragraph discusses the distribution of ransom and plunder in English medieval armies, highlighting the rules and regulations surrounding these practices. It explains that capturing high-ranking individuals like kings or princes required handing them over to the king, while lower-ranking nobility could be ransomed for profit. The common bowman could keep two-thirds of the ransom or plunder proceeds, with the remaining third going up the chain of command to the king. An example from 1443-1444 is provided, detailing the sale of a prisoner, his horse, and sword, and the subsequent distribution of the earnings.
🏰 Wealth and Challenges of Ransom in Medieval Times
This paragraph delves into the challenges of holding onto ransom wealth, especially for lower-ranked soldiers like bowmen. It contrasts the fates of capturing a wealthy knight versus a lesser one, noting that the latter could result in a quick ransom payment. The paragraph also touches on the historical instances of King David of Scotland and King John the Good of France, who were captured and held for significant ransoms. It highlights the extraordinary profit a common bowman could make from capturing a nobleman, as exemplified by a bowman at Agincourt who received a reward equivalent to 44 times his campaign wages. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the motivations of medieval soldiers, emphasizing the allure of adventure, prestige, and the potential for financial gain through ransom and plunder.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ransom
💡Plunder
💡Medieval Army
💡Chivalry
💡Parole
Highlights
Ransom and plunder were significant aspects of warfare in the Middle Ages.
Plunder referred to stolen goods such as furniture, clothing, or valuables like gold.
Ransom involved capturing high-value individuals like knights or nobles and holding them for payment.
The phrase 'je me rend' and the word 'parole' were used by a surrendering knight as a promise not to escape.
Captives of high rank had to be handed over to the king or his representative, but captors were rewarded.
The division of ransom and plunder followed a 'rule of thirds,' with the captor keeping two-thirds and the remaining one-third being divided among superiors.
A detailed example from 1443-1444 shows the financial breakdown of a prisoner's ransom, including payments to the king.
Ransoming a prisoner could be as lucrative as winning the lottery for a common soldier.
The challenge of holding onto ransom money was significant, as there were risks of losing it to theft or other soldiers.
Historical records indicate that ransoms and plunder were often successfully brought back home.
The motivation for common soldiers to fight was not just duty but also the potential for adventure and profit through ransom and plunder.
Noble knights participated in wars as a matter of their chivalric duty, with profit being secondary.
The Battle of Poitiers resulted in the capture of King John, with a ransom of three million gold crowns.
An ordinary archer at Agincourt captured a French nobleman and received a reward equivalent to 44 times his campaign wages.
The chronicles of Froissart provide insights into how common soldiers managed to keep some of their plunder hidden from their captains.
By 1348, it was common for women in England to possess items from Caen and other places where the army had been, indicating the successful return of plunder.
The video provides a fascinating insight into the economic aspects of medieval warfare and the motivations behind soldiers' participation.
Transcripts
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