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 humbly begged for his life, and said: "Dear Lillwacker, I will give you wergild for your brother, only bid your dogs be still, so that we may talk."

From The Swedish Fairy Book by Various

This wergild is equal to that of an archbishop and one-half of that of a king.

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

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

In Kent his wergild was considerably higher, and his status probably also, but his position in this kingdom is a matter of controversy.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various

Except in Kent his wergild was fixed at two hundred shillings, or one-sixth of that of a thegn, and he is undoubtedly the twyhynde man of Anglo-Saxon law.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various

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