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 clasping, 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 whichever of the two senses it be taken. Gregory of 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 accolée, or blow, John of Salisbury assures 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.

Accolée, sometimes synonymous with Accolade. It is also used in various senses in heraldry: sometimes it is applied to two things joined; at other times, to animals with crowns, or collars about their necks, as the lion in the Ogilvys' arms; and lastly to keys, batons, maces, swords, &c., placed saltierwise behind the shield.

Accolti, Benedict, better known among jurists by the name of Aretino, was born at Arezzo in 1415. He became a professor of law at Florence; and having been admitted a citizen, was elected chancellor of the republic in 1469. His death took place in 1466. He wrote in Latin a treatise concerning the war which the Christians carried on against the infidels to recover Judea and the holy sepulchre. This work is the ground-plot of Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered. It only includes, however, the history of the first crusade. He also wrote an account of the Excellent Personages of his Time, in the form of a dialogue.

Accolti, Francis, brother of Benedict. See P. Aretino.

Accomac, a county in the Tidewater district of Virginia, U.S., North America, containing in 1850 a population of 17,861.