Legal Definitions - viva pecunia

Viva pecunia is a historical Latin term meaning "living money." It refers to livestock, particularly cattle, that served as a primary form of currency or payment in early societies, especially during the Saxon period in England. In these times, cattle were valued not only for their practical uses (such as meat, milk, and labor) but also as a standardized medium of exchange, often with an agreed-upon value for transactions.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of viva pecunia:

• Purchasing Goods: Imagine a Saxon farmer needing a new plowshare from the village blacksmith. Instead of offering precious metals or coins (which were scarce), the farmer might offer a young heifer in exchange for the blacksmith's work and materials. This illustrates viva pecunia because the heifer is not merely bartered for its utility; it is accepted as a direct payment, functioning as a recognized form of money with an agreed-upon value for the plowshare.

• Settling a Legal Obligation: If a person committed a minor offense in a Saxon community, a local lord or council might impose a fine. This fine could be stipulated as a certain number of cattle, perhaps two oxen, to compensate the injured party or the community. Here, the cattle act as viva pecunia because they are used to settle a legal debt or penalty, much like modern currency is used to pay fines, demonstrating their role as a recognized store and transfer of value.

• Inheritance or Dowry: In a marriage arrangement during this period, a father might provide his daughter's dowry to her new husband's family, consisting of a specific number of cattle, perhaps a herd of ten cows. This demonstrates viva pecunia as the cattle represent a significant transfer of wealth and assets, acting as a form of capital or "money" within the familial and societal structure, establishing the daughter's contribution to the new household and its economic standing.