Thane

In Saxon Law. A word which sometimes signifies a nobleman, at others a freeman, a magistrate, an officer, or minister. A tenant of the part of the king’s lands called the king’s “thaneage.” Terrnes de la Ley. In later Anglo-Saxon days it became the general name for the higher classes of society, and among them were many different degrees. 2 Holdsw. Hist E. L. 29. See Thegn. THANKSGIVING DAY See Holiday.

thayne. In Saxonlaw. A noble; a a king's tenant.

One of those who attended the English-Saxon kings in their courts, and who held their lands immediately of those kings. Those that served the king immediately in places of eminence, either in court or commonwealth, were called thani majores and thani regis. Those that served under them, as the first did under the king, were called thani minores, or the lesser thanes. Not long after the conquest, the word was disused, and instead thereof the thani majores were called barones regis, who, as to their dignity, were inferior to earls, and took place next after bishops, abbots, barons, and knights. The thani minores were likewise called barons. These were lords of manors, who had a particular jurisdiction within their limits, and over their own tenants in their courts, which to this day are called courts-baron. Jacob; Tomlins. Thane-lands. Such lands as were granted by charter of the Saxon kings to their thanes, which were held with all immunities, except the threefold necessity of expeditions, repairs of castles, and mending of bridges. Jacob.