My character was made a Thane at Whiterun shortly after starting the game, Now, after completing a couple of successful quests, the character has been offered thanedom in Haafingar and Hjaalmarch.

Is it legitimate to be a thane in more than one hold?

Yes.

yes.
Why wouldn't it be?

Of course, now you're more influential.

Thank you.

I didn't want to get in some sort of trouble over divided loyalties. (I'm more steeped in history and legend than the gaming culture.)

I LIKE Jarl Elisif, but that steward of hers is a bit of a PITA, though not as much as his assistant.

More so than being a standing member, let alone leader, of multiple factions.

Unfortunately the game doesn't allow you be recognized properly for it to be of any significance.

Plus it comes in Handy when you decide to take over Skyrim when you are the Thane of all the holds.

Oh yeah, marry Elisif . . . .

Yeah, it makes sense, at least in a TES context.

The fact is that in 'our world', thanes in Scandinavian society (as well as other Germanic/Celtic societies) were typically beholden to one particular hold/jarldom.

I suppose considering the fact that the Dragonborn is a bit more 'capable', he/she has the time and ability to be the thane (thus protector) of multiple holds at the same time.

Can you do it? sure, is it legit? dont think so. each hold in skyrim is independent with its own sit of rules and politics. becoming the thane of whiterun, windhelm, solitude, riften and the rest of the holds doesnt make much sense. but then again neither does being the leader of the companions and the dark brotherhood at the same time.

Thane is a meaningless honorary title. It's like getting a placque from the city. Just something you're going to have to dust.

Also, Elisif is an imbecile. Her steward may be a PITA, but he's the one really running the hold.

Thats just for the dragonborn, all the other thanes seemed to be powerful and were an important part of the Jarl's court. Erikur, Bryling and others.

I usually have troubles with this, too. Most every Jarl says, "It is an honorary position.", though.

That being said, you supposedly support Jarls of both sides of the war and if you do the Civil War quest, will end up unseating a few of the people you supposedly support.

Luckily, being a Thane means absolutely nothing in terms of game play. There is no political intrigue to partake in, just a nice to house to live and people to help

If it bothers you, just don't become thane of multiple holds.

Erikur only thinks he's important. All he and Bryling do is sit around eating the jarl's food and plotting intrigues.

I think it's legit. Think of it this way: from a Jarl's standpoint it would have great political weight if he/she is able to boast that the legendary Dovahkiin is a Thane of the Hold and (at least partly) lives there. Furthermore, you have done a great service to the holds protecting them from dragons and this is a reward with a great symbolic value.

I view my Thaneships as honorary titles. Especially Whiterun which is hard to avoid.

I always considered "Thane" to be an honorary title, and literally has little-no impact on our influence at court.

Well we defend their property and people against dragons and other enemies as well as doing odd jobs around the place, least they could do is give us an honorary title and the chance to live in the hold. They want to encourage us to stick around and fight a few more dragons for them. And I swear some of the poorer holds deliberately sold us land they needed clearing of more than just trees, once you build your house you seem to have a never ending stream of enemies, as well as being near giants and other things the Jarl might want us to keep an eye on.

The honorary Thaneship should come with some pay!

To elaborate on what I said, one of the key reasons behind the idea of being the thane of multiple holds makes no sense in a REAL LIFE context, is because the amount of responsibility carried by the title is too much to permit one to hold that position for multiple holds. (this is ignoring the fact that the DB technically doesn't have to do anything as a thane). An actual thane possessed a strong duty to their hold, and was essentially considered a protector/guardian of the land/region.

It also only makes sense assuming the multiple holds are in alliance with one another (such as Skyrim post-Civil War, sort of).

The reason why the DB can take on such responsibility across multiple holds is because....... they are the DB.

Only someone like the DB can be the guardian/protector of multiple/every hold in the province.

Intersting you mention that. You know how wood chopping nets you an insane amount of gold for something so menial?

I turned it, in my mind, into a kind of symbolic ritual that Thanes have to do on behalf of their people to get their upkeep.

Honest gold for honest work, as they say.

I'm more concerned with the guilds and how your able to join them all. of course you don't have to join them if you don't want to but from what I hear some guilds have to be joined to access certain things. I really hope beth fixes this in there next game.