The Accolade Postcard

Isn’t this a splendidly romantic painting? It was created in 1901 by the English painter Edmund Blair Leighton. This is a dubbing ceremony, which could be conducted by a knight or a Lady. The sword symbolized the shape of the cross. The sword’s two edges served to remind the knight-to-be that justice and loyalty were the two aspects of the knight’s power. If the ceremony took place in church, the knight-to-be took an oath to follow four commandments: never to consent to lies or treason, always to honour women and be ready to serve them, to go to mass every day, and to fast on Fridays. Then the inducted knight received an accolade from the sponsor, who tapped his neck or shoulder three times with the flat edge of the sword. He might then receive a collee, a light blow of the hand, or a punch! The accolade and collee were meant to make sure the new knight never forgot the experience of dubbing. (Who could?) The first time I saw this painting was on a greeting card. It so captured my imagination that I stood there looking at it for the longest time. Her marvellous gown and beautiful red hair, and the gold and pearl circlet on her head. And the knight-to-be on his knees before her in a posture of humility and devotion. I was lost in the romantic possibilities. Is she a Lady or a Queen? Are they lovers? Finally, my husband took me by the hand and had to lead me out of the store. Of course I went back and bought the card.