bloodwite

bloodwite
noun also bloodwit \\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English blōdwīte, from blōd blood + wīte punishment — more at wite
1. early English law
a.
(1) : a fine or amercement for the shedding of blood payable to the king, lord, or other superior in compensation for the breach of his peace — compare wergild
(2) : a penalty for murder
b.
(1) : the right to levy such a fine
(2) : exemption from payment of such a fine
2. Scots law : a broil or riot in which blood is spilled

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bloodwite — Blood wite , Bloodwit Blood wit , n. [AS. bl[=o]w[=i]te; bl[=o]d blood, + w[=i]te wite, fine.] (Anc. Law) A fine or amercement paid as part of a settlement for the shedding of blood; also, a riot wherein blood was spilled. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bloodwite — noun /ˈblʌdwaɪt/ A penalty for committing bloodshed, specifically under Anglo Saxon law a penalty to be paid to the king or aldorman as distinct from the wergild …   Wiktionary

  • Bloodwite — A penalty imposed for the shedding of blood in the *AS period. Cf. Wergeld; Wite …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Bloodwit — Bloodwite Blood wite , Bloodwit Blood wit , n. [AS. bl[=o]w[=i]te; bl[=o]d blood, + w[=i]te wite, fine.] (Anc. Law) A fine or amercement paid as part of a settlement for the shedding of blood; also, a riot wherein blood was spilled. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wergeld — Lit. man payment . AS custom and law valued people in pecuniary terms according to their rank. For example in Mercia a *ceorl s life was worth 200s; a * thegn was worth 1,200s; an *earl, next below the king, was worth 6,000s. In the years… …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Weregild — Lit. man payment . AS custom and law valued people in pecuniary terms according to their rank. For example in Mercia a *ceorl s life was worth 200s; a * thegn was worth 1,200s; an *earl, next below the king, was worth 6,000s. In the years… …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Wite — A penalty paid to the crown for injury caused to a third party. From this grew the king s peace , for the breaking of which penalties were duly codified. Cf. Bloodwite; Bot1 …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • blood fine — noun : a fine for shedding blood : bloodwite, wergild …   Useful english dictionary

  • bloodwit — noun see bloodwite …   Useful english dictionary

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