a ceremony anciently used in the conferring of knighthood.

Antiquaries are not agreed wherein the accolade properly consisted. The generality suppose it to be the embrace, or kiss, which princes anciently gave the new knight, as a token of their affection: whence the word accolade; q. d. a clapping, or taking round the neck. Others will rather have it to be a blow on the chine of the neck, given on the same occasion. The Accolade is of some antiquity, in whichsoever of the two senses it be taken. Greg. de Tours writes, that the kings of France, even of the first race, in conferring the gilt shoulder-belt, kissed the knights on the left cheek. For the accolé, or blow, John of Salisbury affirms us, it was in use among the ancient Normans: by this it was that William the Conqueror conferred the honour of knighthood on his son Henry. At first, it was given with the naked fist; but was afterwards changed into a blow with the flat of the sword on the shoulder of the knight.