Category:Weregild

Were"gild`, n. Etym: [as. wergild; wer a man, value set on a man's Life + gild payment of money; akin to g. wehrgeld. Were a man, and Geld, n.] (o. Eng. Law)

Defn: the price of a man's head; a compensation paid of a man killed, Partly to the king for the loss of a subject, partly to the lord of a Vassal, and partly to the next of kin. It was paid by the murderer. [written also weregeld, weregelt, etc.] Blackstone.