Remind me again why we are trudging about in scratchsome chain sherts over padded leather tunics, all that covered with wet fur pelts, carrying heavy shields and swords and battleaxes, during a hailstorm, smack down the middle of enemy lands, like bloody game pigeons?

The putative force of hostageship as a form of surety lay in the threat to the life of the hostage in case of default; ties of blood magnified the threat, hence the prevalence of sons as hostages.

In the words of the arch-sexist Ruskin (who will provide a useful illustration of the type), quoted by Kate Millett […]

She looked around in bewilderment.