What are the Wergeld Fines/Laws?
How did they make them?
Why did they make them?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weregild
http://www.octavia.net/text/alfredlaw.htm
Wergeld fines, also known as man-price or man-money, were a type of restitution or compensation that existed in certain ancient Germanic societies. The term "wergeld" itself is derived from Old English and Old High German words meaning "man-price" or "worth of a man." It was essentially a monetary value assigned to an individual based on their social status or rank. If someone caused harm or injury to another person, they would be required to pay the victim or their family the designated wergeld amount.
The determination of wergeld fines was a matter of customary law in these societies. The exact method of calculating wergeld fines varied across different Germanic tribes and regions, and there was generally no centralized authority enforcing or codifying these laws. Instead, the amount of wergeld payable for various offenses or crimes was agreed upon within the community or tribe through customary practices and negotiations.
The purpose of wergeld fines was primarily to restore social order, provide compensation to the victim or their family, and prevent further blood feuds or cycles of violence. By quantifying the value of a person's life or bodily harm, wergeld aimed to establish a system of justice and prevent individuals or families from seeking revenge or taking matters into their own hands. It was an attempt to replace retaliatory violence with a standardized system of restitution.
Wergeld fines helped maintain social cohesion by emphasizing the consequences and responsibilities associated with causing harm to others. They also served as a deterrent, as individuals would be wary of the financial burden or potential consequences of their actions.
It's important to note that wergeld fines were specific to the customs and legal systems of ancient Germanic tribes and societies. Their practices and methods of determining compensation may differ from modern legal systems in place today.