Wergild - GCSE History Definition

Wergild, also spelled wergeld, was a key feature of the legal system used during the Anglo-Saxon period in England, where a person who committed a crime, especially one involving injury or death, would pay money as compensation to the victim or the victim's family. It was a way to settle disputes and prevent further violence by offering a specific payment based on the severity of the offence and the social status of the people involved. For example, killing a noble would result in a higher wergild than injuring a commoner. This system was significant in maintaining order and was a key part of the laws and customs before more modern legal systems developed.