Thegn

A Thegn was a nobleman or warrior in Anglo-Saxon England, roughly equivalent to a lord or landed gentry. They were granted land by the king in exchange for military service and loyalty, playing a key role in local governance and social order. Thegns often had their own retinues of followers and were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order in their territories. Their status was significant in the feudal hierarchy, influencing both local affairs and the broader political landscape of early medieval England.