Marshal

Marshal (Fr. maréchal; Old High Ger. marah, 'a battle-horse,' and schalh, 'a servant'), a term meaning originally a groom or manager of the horse, though eventually the king's marshal became one of the principal officers of state. The royal farrier rose in dignity with the increasing importance of the chevalerie, till he became, conjointly with the Constable (q.v.), the judge in courts of chivalry. When the king headed his army in feudal times, the assembled troops were inspected by the constable and marshal, who fixed the spot for the encampment of each noble, and examined the number, arms, and condition of his retainers. With these duties was naturally combined the regulation of all matters connected with armorial bearings, standards, and ensigns. In England the earl-marshal is now head of the Heralds' College (see HERALD), and the dignity is hereditary in the family of the Duke of Norfolk. In Scotland the office of marischal was hereditary in the family of Keith (q.v.). In 1716 George, tenth Earl Marischal, was attainted in consequence of his share in the rebellion of the previous year, and the office has since been in abeyance. In France the highest military officer is called a marshal, a dignity which originated early in the 13th century. There was at first only one Maréchal de France, and there were but two till the time of Francis I. Their number afterwards became unlimited. Napoleon's marshals are celebrated. From the title of this class of general officers the Germans have borrowed their Feld-marschall, and the British (since 1736) their Field-marshal (q.v.).