thaneship

“Twins were rare, and their birth to this strange outlander couple was considered an omen important enough to secure Sulla the thaneship of a whole group of small tribes.”

The First Man in Rome

“He had advanced to the thaneship of the Theiwar not by hereditary means, but along a wide path cut by murder, deceit, and dark magic.”

Stormblade

“The diabolical version of a Le Creuset casserole first spews out an epaulet, signaling a thaneship, then a crown, signaling you know what.”

The Washington Post: National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - The Washington Post

“So Oswald," he cried, "I have been looking for you, that I might wish you all good in your thaneship.”

A Prince of Cornwall A Story of Glastonbury and the West in the Days of Ina of Wessex

“The authority has been in good hands, I know well," Wulf said, "and right heartily do I thank you for having so well filled my place; but I would not take up my thaneship as yet I am but a boy, and have to learn my duties from you, and shall account myself but as your pupil.”

Wulf the Saxon A Story of the Norman Conquest