What is a thane, as it relates to Macbeth?

Question

a
a noble man who held land from the king (like an earl)
b
a king of a large territory
c
a knight who served the king in war
d
a high-ranking servant to Scottish lords and ladies

Answer 1

In the context of Macbeth, a thane is best described as:

a a noble man who held land from the king (like an earl).

In Shakespeare's play, Macbeth himself is referred to as the Thane of Glamis and later as the Thane of Cawdor, indicating his status as a nobleman with land granted by the king.