Thegn

The Role of a Thegn in the Nordic Asa-Community

When the Nordic Asa-Community (NAS/NAC) was founded in 2014, it was during a time when there was no serious alternative for followers of Asatru. Those who laid the foundation for the community sought to change how our faith was perceived, as it was not taken seriously enough at the time as the genuine and living religion it truly is.

Today, NAS/NAC has grown into a well-known and respected community, with credibility both in society and among authorities. This has led to a steadily increasing interest, not only within Sweden but also internationally. More and more people are looking at our work, and we are seeing a growing demand for information and guidance from blót kindreds and religious communities outside of Sweden. They seek to understand our structure, our methods, and the successful framework that has made NAS/NAC what it is today.

To meet this demand, we need individuals with in-depth knowledge of the different aspects of our community – from the framework of blót kindreds and the training of officiants to our values and the practical application of our faith. This is where the role of a Thegn becomes central.

What is a Thegn?

The term Thegn has its roots deep in both the Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon societal structures, where it was used to describe a high-ranking freeman warrior, often a man of status who served a jarl or a king. In English, historians use the word to describe an aristocratic class ranking below the earls. In documents where the term was translated into Latin, the word miles was used, meaning soldier or servant, but in the Old Norse understanding, it was more than that. A Thegn was both a warrior and an administrator. The English philologist Joseph Bosworth described a Thegn as “a person engaged in the service of a king or queen,” and it is easy to see why this description aligns with the Nordic tradition. In the old world, service was not just a duty but a sacred commitment.

Within NAS/NAC, a Thegn represents an individual with specific tasks and responsibilities related to spreading and informing others about our faith. This person plays a key role in strengthening the community’s position as a leading religious organization within Asatru. The Thegn also acts as a representative and contact person for NAS/NAC on an international level and is instrumental in building relationships between the community and foreign blót kindreds as well as religious organizations.

The Duties and Responsibilities of a Thegn

The Nordic Asa-Community currently has Thegns in both Denmark and the USA, and their main duties are:

Spreading NAS’s/NAC´s view on Asatru
– The Thegn has a central role in informing and representing NAS’s/NAC´s values, beliefs, and traditions in their country. This includes guiding individuals and groups seeking a deeper understanding of our faith and its practices.
Assisting in the establishment of blót kindreds
– An important part of the Thegn’s work is identifying opportunities and conditions for establishing blót kindreds in their country. This includes organizing meetings, lectures, and ceremonies that can serve as a foundation for new blót kindreds to form.

Collaborating with the National Blót Responsible
– A Thegn operates with great trust and has access to relevant resources and authorities within NAS/NAC. However, they work under the direct leadership of the National Blót Responsible and must maintain continuous dialogue to report developments in their country as well as the specific circumstances that exist there.
Translating and adapting materials
– To effectively spread NAS’s/NAC´s teachings, texts and informational materials must be translated into the respective language. The Thegn is responsible for ensuring that these texts are accurate, easy to understand, and aligned with the community’s message.

An Important Role in NAS’s International Development

The work of a Thegn is crucial for NAS’s/NAC´s international expansion. Without their efforts, it would be significantly more difficult to support our members, blót kindreds, and other communities outside of Sweden that wish to join the community.

By actively spreading NAS’s/NAC´s perspective on Asatru, establishing new blót kindreds, and acting as a bridge between the community and international practitioners, the Thegn contributes to strengthening our faith and creating a stable foundation for the future.

The Nordic Asa-Community therefore greatly appreciates the Thegns who are currently working to spread our faith and looks forward to welcoming more individuals who wish to take on this significant role.