Wergild, also spelled Wergeld, or Weregild, (Old English: “man payment”), in ancient Germanic law, the amount of compensation paid by a person committing an offense to the injured party or, in case of death, to his family. ... The wergild was at first informal but was later regulated by law.

What was the wergild and how was it used?

“Wergild” meaning “man price” or “man payment” was used in the legal system of many Germanic tribes, including the Anglo Saxons. It was used when a family member of one family killed or injured the family member of another; when this occurs, payment or “wergild” was demanded as a way of retribution and making amends.

What is the purpose of wergild?

During the Anglo-Saxon period the people aimed at compensating those who were harmed by crime. Tradition allowed and individual and their family to make amends for a crime by paying a fine (wergild) to the family of another man whom he had injured or killed.