Historical clue formulations

• Ready for action — 2017-11-17
• Enclosed, old-style — 2016-10-06
• Encircled — 2007-03-27
• Belted — 2005-10-29
• Hemmed in — 2001-04-07
• Braced — 1998-11-30
• Surrounded — 1996-10-06
• Belted — 1994-08-14