A day on which Knights wear the collar of their Order, when taking part in any court ceremony.
1637. Garrard, in Strafford’s Lett. (1739), II. 85. Two Pillories were erected, and there the Sentence of Star-Chamber against Burton, Bastwick, and Prynne was executed…. Bastwick told the People, the Lords had Collar-days at Court, but this was his Collar-day, rejoycing much in it.
1662. Pepys, Diary, 29 Sept. It being Collar-day, we had no time to talk with him about any business. Ibid. (1662–3), 2 Feb. It being a collar-day, it being Candlemas-day.
1707. Miége, State Gt. Brit., I. 400. The Queen has also Collar-Days, (that is, Days when she wears the Collar of the Garter).
1764. Low Life, 56. This being Whitsunday, and consequently Collar-Day at Court.
1818. Moore, Fudge Fam. in Paris, vi. 73. Like Knights, too, we’ve our collar days.
