Ransom

Illegal method for gain from release of prisoners The Ransom by John Everett Millais (c. 1860) Part of a series onKidnapping A ransom letter written in 1960 Types Child abduction Enforced disappearance Express kidnapping Extraordinary rendition Fake kidnapping Groom and Bride kidnapping Impressment Political kidnapping Ransom Shanghaiing Teen escorting Tiger kidnapping By country Canada China Nigeria South Africa United Kingdom United States vte Ransom is the practice of holding a prisoner or item to extort money or property to secure their release.[citation needed] It also refers to the sum of money paid by the other party to secure a captive's freedom. It can also refer to paying such a ransom. When ransom means "payment",[clarification needed] the word comes via French rançon (from Old French "ranson") from Latin redemptio, 'buying back'; compare "redemption". Ransom cases Julius Caesar was captured by pirates near the island of Pharmacusa, and held until someone paid 50 talents to free him. In Europe during the Middle Ages, ransom became an important custom of chivalric warfare. An important knight, especially nobility or royalty, was worth a significant sum of money if captur