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.
