egn (Theyn) was the title granted to retainers of a king. In older Anglo-Saxon definitions, this was any man who owned land, or noble who had debts to the king. In even earlier description of a Thegn a companion, or close follower to their lord or king. They fought along side battles. As Anglo-Saxons came to rule England, these soldiers would be granted more land, giving birth to more powerful Thegns. During the rule of Cnut the Great (Also known as "The Freyr of Battle", the term of Thegn would generally be changed to that of the "<link="proto:Huskarl">Huscarl</link>", however the term never changed much in Anglo-Saxon.