thane

1. (historical) A rank of nobility in pre-Norman England, roughly equivalent to baron.Examples: "The Anglo-Saxon thanes were in all respects the predecessors of the Norman barons. The title of thane seems to have supplanted that of gesith, which appears only in the earner Anglo-Saxon laws, a denomination that may originally have designated the attendants or companions of the king, and whose wergild being triple that of the simple freeman, were, therefore, denominated not only gesithcund men, but six-hynde men."; "The little island of Iona became the refuge of the sons and some thanes of Athelfrith, banished by Edwin."; "Never need you fear for a single thane of your sept or nation, young warriors or old."historical