Note {6} — I. THE GERMANS AND THE EMPIRE TO 1073

The obligation of following up the blood-feud is a common feature of primitive society. It forms the basis of many of the popular tales and traditions of the German people. The law attempted to make the kindred of the slain man give up the feud in return for the payment of a fixed sum by the slayer of his kin, but the attempt was not always successful. The sum paid is known as the wergeld and is mentioned in all the tribal laws (see no. 4, title XLI and note).