Ransom
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
A price of redemption of a captive or prisoner of war, or of captured property. — -In Old Eng,lish Law. A price paid for the pardon of some great offense. It differs from amercement in that it excuses from corporal punishment.
Cowell.