Final answer:
The early Medieval version of a knight is known as a thane, a high-status warrior serving a lord in the feudal system that characterized much of medieval Europe. Thanes were forerunners to the more structured chivalric knights of the later medieval period, influenced by the code of chivalry and Christian values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early Medieval version of a knight is known as a thane. In early medieval Europe and particularly during what is known as the Dark Ages, a thane was recognized as a man of high social status, often a noble or warrior who served a lord in military capacity. Drawing from the context of the age that witnessed feudalism and manorialism as central organizing systems, the thane fulfilled duties similar to those of knights, providing military service in exchange for land or a position within society. Feudal society was characterized by pledges between lords and their warriors, known as vassals, and thanes were a part of this hierarchy. The ethos of chivalry, although more codified later on, began to take shape in this period, influencing the conduct and ideals attached to thanedoms and knighthoods.
Interestingly, the period saw the merging of martial values with the Christian ethos, setting the stage for the age of chivalry, knights, and the courtly culture that became associated with them. These roles and ideals were deeply intertwined with the political and social fabric of medieval Europe, creating a distinctive and enduring medieval warrior class.