Marshal

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Marshal (also sometimes spelled marshall in American English, but not in British English) is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word derives from Old Germanic marah "horse" and scalc "servant", and originally meant "stable keeper". As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for the most elevated offices. The spelling of the name ("Marshall") is often confused with the spelling of the title ("Marshal").

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Military

In many countries, the rank of Marshal is the highest Army rank, outranking a General. Marshals are very sparsely appointed, and typically only in war-time (although this need not be the case). The rank of Marshal may also be expanded into the similar title of Field Marshal. The special symbol of a Marshal is a baton, and so their insignia often incorporate batons.

In some countries, the word Marshal is also used instead of General in the higher Air Force ranks. The four highest Royal Air Force ranks are Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal and Air Vice Marshal (although the first has generally been suspended as a peacetime rank). Most air forces, however, use the ranks of General, Lieutenant General and Major General instead.

Some historical rulers have used special Marshal titles to reward certain subjects. Though not strictly military ranks, these honorary titles have been exclusively bestowed upon successful military leaders, such as the famous Grand Marshal of Ayacucho Antonio Jose de Sucre. Most famous are the Marshals of France (Maréchaux de France), not least under Napoleon I. Another such title was that of Reich Marshal (Reichsmarschall), that was bestowed upon Hermann Göring by Adolf Hitler.

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Marshal ranks by country

The following articles deal with the rank of Marshal as used by specific countries

The following non-European ranks are considered the equivalent to a Marshal

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Ceremonial

  • In feudal times, at many courts one or more of the major dignitaries were styled marshal or a compound such as court marshal or grand marshal; their functions varied, also in time, but frequently included formally announcing guests at audiences, balls, diners etcetera. Such prestigious office was often made hereditary in the high nobility, e.g. the English Earl Marshal.
  • Still in modern pageantry, e.g. Grand marshal of an annual parade
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Racing and other competitions

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Law enforcement

Particularly in the United States, marshal is used for various kinds of law enforcement officers with specialist status. They mainly protect the security of the courts and justice system.

  • At the state, local or municipal court level, marshals are petty court officers similar to constables. Often their job is civil rather than criminal law enforcement.
    • In the American Old West, marshals, also called the "Town Marshal", were appointed or elected police officers of small communities, with similar powers and duties to that of a sheriff, while federal marshals would work in a larger, possibly overlapping area, especially in pioneering country. The word is still used in this sense, especially in the Southwest United States. (See List of Western lawmen). Still the name for some police forces.
    • In California, several counties maintained separate county marshal's Offices which served as court officers similar to US Marshals. Most have been merged into or taken over by the local County Sheriff's Office.
    • In Connecticut, marshals serve as court officers. They are separated into two classes: State Marshals are charged with service of process, and Judicial Marshals perform court security and transport detainees to and from court.
    • In Georgia, the Marshal is a civil law enforcement officer in some counties.
    • In Indiana, Marshals are responsible for law enforcement in a town.
    • In Ohio the term village marshal has been used for the same, often without any colleague, directly under the Mayor.
  • Sky Marshals are armed security police officers employed to protect commercial airliners from the threat of Skyjacking. (Though sometimes called Air Marshals, they are completely unrelated to the military rank mentioned above, and are not to be confused with it.)
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Science Fiction

The rank of Marshal has made frequent appearances in science fiction works, both live action productions and literature. In the universe of Star Wars, the rank of Marshal is conjectured to be connected to the TIE fighter forces, being ranks held by senior TIE fighter commanders, equivalent to Imperial Navy Admirals. Several sources of the Star Wars Expanded Universe have conjectured the following Marshal ranks of the starfighter service.

  • Grand Marshal
  • High Marshal
  • Force Marshal
  • Chief Marshal
  • Marshal
  • Vice Marshal

In addition to Star Wars, the rank of Marshal may also be found in the novel Starship Troopers where the rank of Sky Marshal is held by the Commander-in-Chief of the military. Marshal is also a military rank frequently found in the universe of Doctor Who where, more often that not, it is held by various villains who seek galactic domination through military force. In the Riddick universe, the leader of the diabolic Necromonger army is called the Lord Marshal. In the Starcraft computer game, Jim Raynor, nominally the main character, holds the rank of Marshal at the story's outset. In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Black Templars Space Marines chapter has Marshals.

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See also

bg:Маршал et:Marssal fr:Maréchal it:Maresciallo nl:Maarschalk pt:Marechal zh:元帅

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