Hist. Also wer. [OE. were, var. of wer (dat. were), abbreviation of were-, werʓild.] = WERGELD.
1607. Cowell, Interpr.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 127. Wera or Were sometimes signifieth amerciament or compensation.
1660. R. Coxe, Power & Subj., 190. Who shall commit perjury upon holy things, let him lose his hand, or half his were.
1819. Lingard, Hist. Eng., I. iii. 124. He paid the were for the death of Ælfwin.
1842. Sir H. Taylor, Edwin the Fair, II. v. He that within the palace draws his sword Doth forfeit an Earl’s were.
1872. E. W. Robertson, Hist. Ess., 236, note. In later days it was a principle of Land-right that no freeman should be amerced ‘above his wer.’
