Medieval Glossary
Wergeld
The price a person's life was determined to be worth according to societal rank. In Anglo-Saxon society, blood feuds between families would often result from a murder. The wergeld was established and paid to the victim's family or lord to prevent blood feuds and free the murderer from any other obligation or penalty.
Related term(s): Geld; Blood Feud; Danegeld; Heregeld
Category: Society
Added: 11.07.04
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