Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
wergild
Noun
/ˈwɜːrɡɪld/
Definition
Wergild is a monetary value placed on a person’s life in Anglo-Saxon law, used as compensation for a wrongful death.
Examples
- In the case of a murder, the family of the deceased could receive wergild from the murderer’s kin.
- Under several tribal laws, the wergild was set according to the social status of the victim.
Meaning
The term comes from Old English and literally means ‘man payment,’ referring to the practice of paying a price for a person’s life to avoid revenge.
Synonyms
- Man payment
- Blood money
- Compensation
