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, ˈwɛə-, ˈwɜːˌɡɪld, 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

Example Sentences

In the second year Biargey again urged Howard to try for a wergild.

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

Within the ceorlisc class we find similar subdivisions, though they were not marked by a difference in wergild.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

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

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

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