wergild

American  

[wur-gild, wer-] / ˈwɜr gɪld, ˈwɛr- /

Also wergeld

noun

1. (in Anglo-Saxon England and other Germanic countries)

2. money paid to the relatives of a murder victim in compensation for loss and to prevent a blood feud.

3. the amount of money fixed as compensation for the murder or disablement of a person, computed on the basis of rank.

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wergild British  

/ ˈwɜːˌɡɛld, ˈwɜːˌɡɪld, ˈwɛə-, ˈwɛə- /

noun

1. the price set on a man's life in successive Anglo-Saxon and Germanic law codes, to be paid as compensation by his slayer

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Etymology

Origin of wergild

1175–1225; Middle English ( Scots ) weregylt, Old English wer ( e ) gild, equivalent to wer man (cognate with Gothic wair, Latin vir ) + gild geld ²; cognate with Middle Dutch weergelt, Old High German wergelt; see yield

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wergild

Then the troll begged for his life and said: "Dear Silverwhite, I will take wergild for my brothers, only bid your dogs be still, so that we may talk."

From The Swedish Fairy Book by Various

Horse offered as wergild by Thorbiorn to Howard, 107 Dover.

From Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race by M. I. (Maud Isabel) Ebbutt

According to a document which probably dates from the 10th century, the wergild of an aetheling was fixed at 15,000 thrymsas, or 11,250 shillings.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

Each man's life had a certain "wergild" or money value.

From The Leading Facts of English History by D. H. (David Henry) Montgomery

When the troll saw that his attempt had failed, he was much alarmed and said: "Dearest Lillwacker, I will give you wergild for your brother, if you will only leave me alone."

From The Swedish Fairy Book by Various

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