Definition of "thane"

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.

1845, Johann Martin Lappenberg, translated by Benjamin Thorpe, A History of England under the Anglo-Saxon Kings, published 2004, page 317

The little island of Iona became the refuge of the sons and some thanes of Athelfrith, banished by Edwin.

1910, Robert A. Thompson, The People's History of England, New York: Walter Scott Publishing

Although some serfs escape from their lord and turn away from Christendom to the Vikings and after this it happens that the clash of swords becomes common to thane and serf, if the serf utterly kills the thane, he lies unpaid by all of the serf's kin.

2000, Wulfstan, Robert Boenig (editor and translator), Sermo Lupi ad Anglos, Anglo-Saxon Spirituality: Selected Writings, page 144