Wergild

What was wergild in Anglo-Saxon England?

Wergild replaced blood feuds as a method of obtaining justice in Anglo-Saxon England.

How was wergild used?

If someone was killed or injured, money called wergild would be paid to them or their family as compensation.

How much was wergild?

The amount of wergild was decided in the following 3 ways:

• ❖ The amount of wergild paid varied according to the crime.
• ❖ Lesser injuries cost less money than more serious ones.
• ❖ The status of the victim also affected the payment. For example, the cost of killing a thegn was much higher than the cost of killing a ceorl.