hethenesse

Etymology
From, ; equivalent to , but vowel reduction shows that by the Late ME period it was no longer analysed as such.

Noun

 * 1) The portion of the world controlled or populated by pagans or Muslims, or any part of this portion of the world.
 * 2) heathenry, paganism; belief in a pagan religion.
 * 3) Pagan doctrine or habits; the trappings of a pagan religion.
 * As well in Christendom as in Heatheness, Chaucer, Canterbury Tales