The Anglo-Saxon nobility refers to the elite class in England during the early medieval period, roughly from the 5th to the 11th centuries. This group included powerful landowners known as thegns, who held large estates granted by the king in exchange for military service and loyalty. Nobles played a crucial role in local governance and were responsible for maintaining order and justice in their regions. Nobility was often hereditary, meaning titles and lands were passed down through families. The king was at the top of the social hierarchy, followed by nobles, and then the common people, known as ceorls. The Anglo-Saxon nobility significantly influenced the culture, politics, and economy of early England.