“The town and the surrounding land was part of the old thanage of Glendonachie.”

“The tower portion was built about 1420 by Sir Walter Innes, whose father had married Janet de Aberkerder, heiress to the thanage.”

“The lands of Arbuthnott from which the family takes its name originally formed part of a Celtic thanage.”

“He is more thane than prince, for his position here has always been that of able warlord.”

“Immediately afterwards comes the news that the king has created Macbeth thane of Cawdor.”

“The owner of two hydes of land was ranked above a ceorl, or simple farmer, while the owner of twelve hydes was a royal thane.”

“The name of Banff, by which the family was afterwards ennobled, seems to be derived from the ancient thanedom of Boyne.”

“Therefore the realm's strength would consist of the king with his own personal war-band, or fyrd, aided by the fyrds of his ealdormen and thanes.”

“The thanes made haste, marched along together until they could discern the glorious, timbered hall, adorned with gold.”

“In Scotland such shires were administered by a class of ministerial tenants known as thanes.”