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It was. It seems barbaric and cruel by our modern standards, but if a person from medieval England saw Game of Thrones, he wouldn't think a thing of the hostage exchange.
In fact, I have a story. Henry I of England's son-in-law Pacy entered a business deal with another landowner named Harnec, and they exchanged hostages as safeguards. Pacy blinded Harnec's son, and Harnec begged King Henry for vengeance. The King allowed Harnec to burn the eyes out of the king's own granddaughters for what started as just a business deal. Medieval times were not for the soft-hearted.
Incidentally, the girls' mother later tried to kill her father, the King, with a crossbow. She missed.
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