Thegn
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Stimson (1881)
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
A tenant in capite. See Tenant in capite.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
An Anglo-Saxon term meaning a retainer. Afterwards it came to designate the territorial nobility. At a later period these were king’s Thegns, who were persons of great importance, and inferior thegns. Military service appears to have run through it all. After the Conquest, they were merged into the class of knights. Encycl. Br.
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
A chief lord, tenant in. capite. Thegnmen's court: v. Court, 4.