Criminal Injuries Compensation King Alfred Style!

We tend to think of Criminal Injuries Compensation as being a 20th century creation but it's much older in what we now call England and certainly was in the old Kingdom of Wessex. King Alfred actually drew up a list of what you could expect if someone was found guilty in court.

1. Mutilated ear = 6 shillings

2. Stab to the nose = 9 shillings

3. Loss of a thumb = 20 shillings

4. Loss of an eye = 50 shillings

5. Killing a Nobleman = 150 cows or 250 gold pieces

6. Killing a freeman = 100 cows or 200 gold pieces

7. Killing a serf = 1 cow

Basically you would need an awful lot of cows if you decided to go on the rampage back in the day!