Description

A reproduction of “The Accolade” by Edmund Blair Leighton (1853-1922).

In the late Middle Ages the son of a noble would serve first as page, then as squire, before being made a knight. Knighthood was conferred by the overlord with the accolade (a blow, usually with the flat of the sword, on the neck or shoulder); in the later period of feudalism, the ceremony was preceded by the religious ceremony of a vigil before an altar.

A knight fighting under another’s banner was called a knight bachelor; a knight fighting under his banner was a knight bannerette. Knights were ordinarily accompanied in battle by personal attendants (squires and pages) and by vassals (yeoman) and servants.

After c.1100 military tenure was generally subject to the law of primogeniture, which resulted in a class of landless knights; at the time of the Crusades those landless knights formed the great military orders of knighthood, which were religious as well as military bodies. Important among these were the Knights Templars, Knights Hospitalers, Teutonic Knights, Livonian Brothers of the Sword, Knights of Calatrava, and Knights of Aviz.

Traditional Tapestries were established in 1991 by husband and wife team, Colin and Catherine.  Their workshops and office complex utilise a large converted barn nestling in the Cornish countryside. They are a family business employing a local skilled workforce.

All of the tapestry panels and fabrics are imported directly from Master Flemish Weavers, who use modern electronic Jacquard looms utilising the latest computer technology to create the finest high-quality designs. Many designs are reproduced from ancient medieval tapestries, although several new creations are inspired by contemporary art forms.

The unfinished tapestry panels are then sent to the UK where they are made into elegant wall tapestries, cushions and bags.

Measures 80cm x 100cm and has a tab on the back to hang using a pole or a rod (sold separately).