The compensation to be paid for taking the life of a man.
wergild
It was pennies, pounds, and shillings :)
The wergild in Germanic law served as a means of compensation or restitution for crimes such as homicide. It was a way to restore peace between families and prevent blood feuds. The ordeal was a method of trial by which the accused underwent a physical test or ritual, believed to be guided by divine intervention to determine guilt or innocence.
Wergild, also spelled "wergild," is an ancient Germanic legal concept that translates to "man price." It refers to the monetary compensation paid by a wrongdoer to the family of a victim in cases of homicide or injury, intended to avoid blood feuds and provide restitution. The amount of wergild varied based on the social status of the victim and the nature of the offense. This practice emphasized the importance of honor and social order in early Germanic societies.
Wergild, or "man price," was a legal compensation system in early Germanic societies, where a monetary value was assigned to individuals based on their social status and role within the community. When a person was killed, the victim's family could demand wergild from the offender or their family as restitution, preventing blood feuds and promoting social order. The amount was typically negotiated between the involved parties, often with the assistance of local leaders or elders, and the settlement aimed to restore balance and maintain peace within the community. Failure to pay wergild could lead to further conflict or retaliation.
money paid to the relatives of a murder victim in compensation for loss and to prevent a blood feud
the wergild
Wergild is another term used to describe the Germanic practice of compensation for harm or wrongdoing.
Under Germanic Law, a wrongdoer had to pay wergild, or "money for a man,: to the family of the person he injured or killed.
The amount paid by a wrongdoer to the family of an injured person is typically referred to as "compensation" or "damages." This payment is meant to help cover the costs of medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses caused by the injury.
Beowulf convinces the men of his heroics by recounting his previous battles and victories, showcasing his strength and bravery. He also presents physical evidence of his encounters, such as Grendel's arm that he has severed as proof of his achievement. Through these actions, Beowulf earns the trust and respect of the men.
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 5 words with the pattern ----ILD. That is, seven letter words with 5th letter I and 6th letter L and 7th letter D. In alphabetical order, they are: rebuild unbuild unchild upbuild wergild