What, then, is the Homo Francus with a wergeld three times that of the ordinary ingenuus of the district of Amor?
The wergeld of the latter is the full normal wergeld of 200 solidi. The Homo Francus in this district was therefore very much above the ordinary freemen of other laws. He was evidently a Frankish landowner on a large scale, towering in social position above the ordinary freemen of the district.
The casa and curtis of the Homo Francus alone were protected by special clauses (XIX. and XX.), and of him alone are any hints given as to kindred or inheritance. Clause XLII., in the following few words, enlightens us as to his social position:—
If any Francus homo shall have sons, his inheritance in woods and in land shall pass to them, and what there is in slaves and cattle.
Concerning the maternal inheritance, let it go in like manner to the daughter.
We must probably consider the privileged position of the Homo Francus as presumably the result of Frankish conquest. The great landowner may have been the holder of a benefice, or a tenant in capite placed upon the royal domain with ministerial and judicial duties, and the triple wergeld may fairly be assigned to his official position.
But to return to the wergelds.
The payment pro fredo seems to have been equal to an additional one third of the wergeld.
Payment for the eye etc. one quarter the wergeld.
From clauses XX. and XXXII. it appears that the value of an eye or hand or foot was one quarter of the wergeld, instead of half as in the Salic and Ripuarian Laws.