Thegns

Thegns were medieval Anglo-Saxon noblemen or landowners who held a specific social status beneath the king or earl. They owned and governed land, served as local leaders, and provided military service when required. Their role combined both administrative duties and military responsibilities, acting as intermediaries between the ruler and the common people. Thegns could be wealthy landholders with significant influence in their communities. Their status was hereditary but also dependent on their loyalty and service to their lord. Essentially, they were respected local elites crucial to the governance and social structure of early medieval England.