Although technically not a baron, for he held little directly from the king, Peter was a substantial magnate.

Thegn: A lord who held his land directly from the king in return for military service in time of war.

Henceforth, all land was "held" directly from the king in feudal tenure in return for military service.

Land was now held from the king, or a superior lord, in exchange for loyalty and forms of service that were usually military.

Those, of course, he will hold directly from the king as his vassal.

The person who held feudal land directly from the king was known as a tenant-in-chief (see also Land tenure).

Pain's family was respectable enough, as his father held a number of properties directly from the king.

I am told that a distant ancestor once held a land grant from the king of Spain.

A "median" thegn did not hold his land directly from the king but through an intermediary lord.

He is the king's prisoner, since he was taken on land I hold from the king and in infringement of the king's truce.