Quote Originally Posted by lars573
Except in the RTW era they wouldn't be ransomed but sold into slavery, to be worked to death. Or killed out right.
Well Hannibal tried to ransom 10,000 Romans but the senate refused the offer and any family members trying to ransom back therefamily member would be persecuted.

Ransom always did exist just not commonly exercised until around the 10th to 13th century or so.