Thanedom
/ˈθeɪn.dəm/noun
The state, rank, authority, or territory associated with a thane.
Did you know?The suffix “-dom” originally meant judgment, law, or jurisdiction, so thanedom could imply not merely a thane’s status but the sphere of authority under his rule.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*þegnaz
“A servant, retainer, or member of a lord’s military following”
Old English
Old English
þegn
“A servant, retainer, or high-ranking warrior serving a king or lord”
Old English
Old English
dōm
“Judgment, law, decree, authority, or jurisdiction”
Middle English
Middle English
thayn / thane
“A noble retainer or military landholder”
Middle English
Middle English
-dom
“A suffix expressing condition, rank, domain, or jurisdiction”
Modern English
English
thanedom
“The status, authority, or domain of a thane”