Thane
[θein]
Definition
(noun.) a man ranking above an ordinary freeman and below a noble in Anglo-Saxon England (especially one who gave military service in exchange for land).
(noun.) a feudal lord or baron.
Typed by Denis--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A dignitary under the Anglo-Saxons and Danes in England. Of these there were two orders, the king's thanes, who attended the kings in their courts and held lands immediately of them, and the ordinary thanes, who were lords of manors and who had particular jurisdiction within their limits. After the Conquest, this title was disused, and baron took its place.
Checked by Alyson
Definition
n. a member of a class in the old English community that stood distinctly below the old nobility (eorlas &c.) but above the mere landowners or ceorls—a kind of nobility of service rather than blood.—ns. Thā′nage Thane′dom the jurisdiction or the dignity of a thane; Thane′hood Thane′ship.
Checker: Zachariah
Examples
- At four o'clock in the morning I found Miss Eliza Higgins busy about the new cap which was to kill the Thane. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- The black cloud is low over the thane's castle The eagle screams--he rides on its bosom. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Vows, said the Abbot, must be unloosed, worthy Franklin, or permit me rather to say, worthy Thane, though the title is antiquated. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Dark sits the evening upon the thanes castle, The black clouds gather round; Soon shall they be red as the blood of the valiant! Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Typist: Shane