Frederic Seebohm
Tribal Custom in Anglo-Saxon Law
Being an Essay Supplemental to (1) 'The English Village Community', (2) 'The Tribal System in Wales'
"Tribal Custom in Anglo-Saxon Law" by Frederic Seebohm is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work serves as an essay supplementing earlier writings on English and Welsh tribal systems, exploring the legal frameworks surrounding Anglo-Saxon society with a focus on tribal customs. The book aims to shed light on aspects of early Anglo-Saxon law and how tribal customs influenced legal practices, particularly the concept of wergeld, or death fines. The opening of the book introduces the author’s objective of approaching Anglo-Saxon laws through the lens of tribal customs, following his previous essays on similar topics. Seebohm emphasizes the importance of understanding the tribal system's customs and their implications in the context of law, society, and economic practices, particularly regarding payments like wergeld. Furthermore, he highlights that each essay can stand alone despite being part of a trilogy, offering a comprehensive exploration of tribal customs across different regions and their continued relevance in understanding early legal systems.