The correct answer is - Knights.
The knights and the samurai shared lot of similarities in their social status and their purpose in the societies. Both of the were protectors of the leader of the country. For their services of protection they were given free pieces of large parcels of land. They were the best warriors in their respective societies, and when there was a battle they were the elite unit that usually was the one that was winning the battle/war. Their only job in the society was to train for battle, and fight in battle.
