Honor In Edmund Leighton's The Accolade

Knights in the middle ages followed a strict code of chivalry that they allowed to dictate their lives. When a brave act was witnessed by the people they were given a great honor and were knighted by one of high authority. This ceremony was—and is still—widely known as the Accolade. This show of praise by not only the people but by those who have authority is still used today to honor bravery. A British artist under the name Edmund Leighton wanted to illustrate this great honor when he created his painting in 1901 named The Accolade. Leighton portrayed many symbolic objects and messages throughout the painting by using colors and specified focal points such as the lady in white. This painting also symbolizes a form of the Victorian Romanticism era. This era was the shift in the artistic world from grandeur of the previous century to the years of complex and emotional expression. Many times
In my interpretation of the painting, she is honoring her love for a brave deed he has fulfilled, and he kneels before her showing his loyalty and respect for the higher authority before him; however, neither one can act upon their feelings for one another due to the subjects at the ceremony. They look on with inspiration and rapt to the man in front of their ruler. He bows his head to be bestowed this endowment from her through the dubbing of her sacred sword not knowing what is to come but a life together. Their happiness is then tragically seized when they are warned of a threat. Before he leaves to fulfill his duties, he promises his love that he will return to live the rest of eternity together. Her tenacious feelings she has for him leaves her to mourn internally. She is unable to act upon them or else one may think she is unfit to continue in her position of high authority. He does not survive his fight leaving her and the rest of the kingdom to mourn; however, her feelings for him will never