A Chevron, a Pale, Bend, &c. are also said to be abased when their Points terminate in, or below the Centre of the Shield. See CHEVRON, PALE, &c.
'Tis a little controverted among Authors, whether Heraldry allows of any such thing as regular Abatements. Leigh and Guillim, without any Scruple as to their Reality, give us several Kinds.
Abatements, according to the last of those Writers, are either made by Reversion or Diminution.
ACCOLADE, a Ceremony anciently used in the conferring of Knighthood. See KNIGHT.
The Accolade consisted in the King's laying his Arms about the young Knight's Neck and embracing him; in token of Friendship. After the Accolade, the Prince giving him a little Blow on the Shoulder with the Flat of a Sword he forthwith entered into the Possession of Arms.
The word is French and literally denotes an Embrace or Hugging; being formed of ad and col, Neck.
The Accolade consisted in the King's laying his Arms about the young Knight's Neck and embracing him; in token of Friendship. After the Accolade, the Prince giving him a little Blow on the Shoulder with the Flat of a Sword he forthwith entered into the Possession of Arms.
The word is French and literally denotes an Embrace or Hugging; being formed of ad and col, Neck.