And it is right that the homicide after having given pledge for the wergeld should find the wer-pledges pertaining to it. From the thane: 12 were-pledges 8 exparte patris and 4 de cognatione matris, and this done shall be raised among them the peace of the king in every wergeld. And first the halsfang should be paid according to the nature of the wergeld.
Following the case of the twelve-hyndeman a little further we learn that:—
Twelve-hyndeman’s halsfang.
Twelf-hindus est homo plene nobilis, i. thainus cujus wera est duodecies c sol. qui faciunt libras xxv, cujus halsfang sunt cxx sol. qui faciunt hodie sol. l. Et non pertinet alii cognacioni pecunia ista, nisi illis qui sunt intra genu.
The twelve-hyndeman is the man plene nobilis, i.e. the thane whose wergeld is 1200 scillings which make 25l. His halsfang is 120s. which today equals 50s.[211] [Norman], and it belongs to no other relations than those who are intra genu.
This halsfang had to be paid on the 21st day from the giving of the pledge, and it seems to have been a token in recognition of guilt or earnest money to show that the wergeld would be paid.
Manbot and fightwite and then wergeld.
On the next 21st night from the payment of the halsfang the manbot had to be paid, and on the 21st night after that the fightwite, and on the 21st night again the first payment of the wergeld.
Et sic omnibus parentibus dominisque emendacionibus iniciatis persolvantur reliquum were, intra terminum quem sapientes instituunt.
Thus for all the parentes and lords, amends being set agoing, the rest of the wergeld shall be paid during a term to be fixed by the wise men (sapientes).