Steven Till

Thegn
\thane\
Etymology: Middle English theyn, from Old English thegn; akin to Old High German thegan thane and perhaps to Greek tiktein to bear, beget

1) Originally meaning a Military Companion to the King. It has come to mean a land holding administrative office. (MEDIEV-L. Medieval Terms)

2) Pre-Conquest noble below the level of earl; local estate owner with at least 5 hides of land and a residence. Richer ones had grand halls behind large defences. Backbone of the royal army. Cite, 214 3) A member of the late O.E. noble or upper class. (Reynolds, Susan. An Introduction to the History of English Medieval Towns, 200)

*term definitions retrieved from Netserf’s Medieval Glossary (http://www.netserf.org/Glossary)

Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval Glossary, Medieval History on January 9th, 2009