KnoWoPerWriMo

[lucianus]

Thursday 25. November

This day I did speak at length with my prisoner now that he is somewhat recovered and find that he is the M. de Vopellyaire; he doth have a very fine horse worth I should say above 2/ and saddle and accoutrements the which I will keep, likewise his harness seemeth to would fit me and I would keep that as well but the remainder I will sell him back and told him thus so that he would know my intentions; about an hour before midday came a drum to treat for my prisoner and carry my demands back to garrison and by and by he comes again and tells me they would not meet my terms and so I send him back again and so it continued ‘til near supper and I and M. de Vopellyaire did eat and later came the drum again with an acceptable answer and would pay me 500 écu and so tomorrow was set to exchange; the cornet I won of him, I will present to my Lord upon his return.

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So Luke has a prisoner and has to deal with ransoming him.

Comments

[lucianus.livejournal.com]

In this period drummers, who were grown men not boys, also acted as negotiators and held a status of a junior officer. This drummer did indeed go back and forth a good deal as the terms were being hammered out and for his troubles Luke would have paid him some money, probably an ecu or two for each time he went back and forth, or maybe more. Anyone entrusted with a message would have expected to be paid for his troubles and for the confidence that the person who hired him put in him.