Weregild in United Kingdom

Meaning of Weregild

The following is an old definition of Weregild [1]: In old English law, a pecuniary satisfaction paid to a party injured, or to his relatives, to expiate an enormous offense, most commonly homicide.0 The custom originated with the ancient Germans. For homicide, Athelstan (and other rulers) graded the amount according to the rank of the deceased, from peasant to kingi In the time of Henry I, other offenses were made redeemable. A private process seems to have been allowed for recovering the amount. See Appeal, 3; Caput, AEstimatlo.

Resources

Notes and References

1. Concept of Weregild provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)