The Honor Price in Ireland

Honour price is not to be confused with wergeld, the actual price of a man or woman's life. In mediaeval ireland, the value of that honour was precisely defined. A cut on the king's cheek was measured in grains of wheat,. On that of a substantial farmer, in oats, on that of a small holder merely in peas, one cow was paid for each. Any man publicly mocked would have no choice but to defend his honor. Attacking a peasant under the protection of a lord was the same as raping a man's wife or daughter. It was said that a talented satirist could rhyme rats to death, or at the very least, raise