Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches ofsociety. As marshals became trusted members of the courts ofMedieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated offices, such as inmilitary rank and civilianlaw enforcement.
Marshal is an ancientloanword fromOld Frenchmareschal (cf. Modern Frenchmaréchal), which in turn is borrowed fromOld Frankish *marskalk "stable boy, keeper, servant", attested byMedieval Latinmariscalcus from aProto-Germanic*maraχskalkaz (cf.Old High Germanmarahschalh)[1][2][3] being still evident inMiddle Dutchmaerscalc,marscal, and in modern Dutchmaarschalk (="military chief commander"; the meaning influenced by the French use).
It iscognate withOld High Germanmar(ah)-scalc "id.", modern German(Feld-)Marschall (="military chief commander"; the meaning again influenced by the French use).[4]
It originally and literally meant "horse servant", a compound of*marha- "horse" (cf. Englishmare and modern GermanMähre, meaning "horse of bad quality") and*skalk- "servant" (cf. Old Englishsċealc "servant, retainer, member of a crew" )[1][2] and outdated GermanSchalk, meaning "high-ranking servant".[5] This "horse servant" origin is retained in the current French name forfarrier:maréchal-ferrant.
The late Roman and Byzantine title ofcomes stabuli ("count of the stables") is similar in meaning, which became the Old Frenchconestable and modernconnétable, and, borrowed from the Old French, the English wordconstable.[1] Finally, in Byzantium, a marshal with elevated authority, notably a borderlands military command, was also known as anexarch.
Marshals are typically, but not exclusively, appointed only inwartime. In many countries, especially inEurope, the special symbol of a marshal is abaton, and their insignia often incorporate batons.
In theFrench Army and most National Armies modelled on the French system,maréchal des logis ("marshal-of-lodgings") is acavalry term equivalent tosergeant.
Chief marshal of the branch was used in five Soviet military branches: the air force, artillery, armoured troops, engineer troops, and signal troops.
Marshal of the branch was used in five Soviet military branches – the air force, artillery, armoured troops, engineer troops, and signal troops. Marshal of the branch is considered equivalent to the rankgeneral of the army, which was used in theinfantry and themarines.
Usually in monarchies, one or several of the senior dignitaries bear the title ofMarshal or a compound such asCourt Marshal (not related tocourt martial, therefore usually calledMarshal of the Court to prevent confusion) or more rarelyGrand Marshal.
The function of theMarshal of the Court varies according to national tradition, but frequently he is the chief of staff of the monarch's household (meaning the palace and other domains). Often the position anlso includes the honorary privilege as chief of the protocol of formally announcing the arrival of VIP guests at audiences, state dinners and conferences on the monarch's premises. This office was often madehereditary in the high nobility, e.g. the EnglishEarl Marshal and the ScotsEarl Marischal.
The term is also used in more ordinary contexts, such as modernpageantry; for example, thegrand marshal of a parade is often an honored guest or dignitary.
In the United States, many colleges and universities have marshals. In some cases, there is a single "faculty marshal," appointed to the post on a more or less permanent basis. In other cases, there are one or several faculty marshals, and often one or several student marshals appointed for a single occasion. In all cases, the post is one of honor given to a senior faculty member or outstanding student, and the functions are generally limited to leading processions or parts of processions duringcommencement exercises, academicconvocations,encaenia and similar events. These marshals often carrymaces, staffs or wands of office.
A chief usher at a large wedding is sometimes called awedding marshal. In addition to coordinating other ushers in attending guests, the wedding marshal may be a messenger between parties to signal the impending start of the service or communicate delays. In a church wedding, particularly a nuptial mass, these functions may be assumed by averger. The wedding marshal is a position of honor and trust, often filled by a close friend or relative.
For other historical uses of the word, seeMarszałek.
Apart from its military uses, the Polish wordmarszałek (marshal) also refers to certain political offices:
Marszałek Sejmu andMarszałek Senatu: the respectivespeakers of the lower house (Sejm) and upper house (Senate) of Poland'sparliament, usually nominated by the governing party orcoalition;
Marszałek Województwa (voivodeship marshal): since 1999, the leader of the executive of avoivodeship (one of Poland's 16 provinces), elected by the regional assembly (sejmik), and co-existing with the government-appointedvoivode (governor).
Demonstration marshals, also calledstewards, are used by the organizers of large or controversialdemonstrations, rallies andprotests, to help ensure the safety of the participants.[6][7] They are especially important for preventing infiltration byagents provocateurs.
In some organized competitions, such as the "Tough Guy" endurance competition, officials seeing to the observance of the rules are styled marshals. Inroad running and cycling races, in particular,course marshals enforce rules of competition and assist runners as needed.
The wordMaréchaussée derives from the French wordMaréchal (pluralMaréchaux), which was the second highest military rank in feudal France afterConnétable (Constable), the militaryCommander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces until 1627, when the rank of Constable was abolished. The Constable and the Marshals also had jurisdictional powers, at first only over members of the armed forces. The additional conferring of police powers led to the creation of the "Corps of theMaréchaussée" ("Marshalcy"; the forerunner of the modernGendarmerie) and to an Ancien Régime Court of Justice called the Tribunal of theConstable and theMarshals of France, which judged military personnel and civilians alike in cases of petty violations of the law.
In early 2025, the Government of Saskatchewan created theSaskatchewan Marshals Service. The provincial law enforcement agency is expected to focus on serious crime and will be fully operational in the fall of 2025.[9][10]
In France, theMaréchaussée ("Marshalcy") was the forerunner of theFrenchGendarmerie. A military corps having such duties was first created in 1337, placed under the command of theConstable of France (the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces), and named theConnétablie. In 1627 after the abolition of the title ofConnétable, it was put under the command of the "Marshals of France," and renamed theMaréchaussée. Its main mission was to protect the roads fromhighwaymen.
TheMaréchaussée was a mountedmilitary police force organised and equipped along military lines. The force wore uniforms similar to those of thedragoons of the regular army and carried the same muskets and sabres. While its existence ensured the relative safety of French rural districts and roads, theMaréchaussée was regarded in contemporary England (which had no effective police force of any nature) as a symbol of foreign tyranny.
In 1789, on the eve of theFrench Revolution, theMaréchaussée numbered 3,660 men divided into small detachments calledbrigades. By law dated 16 February 1791, this force was renamed theGendarmerie Nationale, though at first its personnel remained unchanged. Later many of them died under the guillotine, especially the members of the nobility.
The new designation "Gendarmerie" was derived from the termgens d'armes (gentlemen/people at arms) who were originally heavy cavalry regiments (called at firstOrdonnances royales) which were part of the King's household, the equivalent of the English "Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms".
The title "Marshal of France" is aDignité d'État ("State Dignity") in the contemporary French Republic, not only amilitary rank. It is granted togenerals for exceptional achievements, especially in times of war or national crisis.
A Marshal of France displays seven stars and is equivalent to a six star general in armies of other countries. The marshal also receives abaton, a blue cylinder with stars, formerlyfleurs-de-lis during the monarchy andEagles during the First French Empire and Second French Empire. It has the Latin inscription:Terror belli, decus pacis, which means "terror in war, ornament in peace".
The position in the French Navy (Marine nationale) equivalent to the "Marshal of France" is calledAmiral de France ("Admiral of France"). The title has not been conferred since 1869. Theoretically, the equivalent title in the French Air Force isGénéral de France ("General of France"), but it has never been conferred to anyone yet.
Six Marshals of France have been given the even more prestigious rank of "Marshal General of the King's Armies and Camps":Biron,Lesdiguières,Turenne,Villars,Saxe, andSoult. This rank and title no longer exists in present-day republican France.
In the Netherlands, theKoninklijke Marechaussee are thegendarmerie force created by KingWilliam I to replace the Frenchgendarmerie on October 26, 1814. The wordgendarmerie had gained a negative connotation, so William called the new force "marechaussée" (an alternate French word forgendarmerie). At that time, themarechaussee was part of the army (landmacht). Themarechaussee performed police duties for the army, as well as civilian police work as a part of the national police (rijkspolitie). Themarechaussee formed the only police force in many small cities like Venlo, especially in the southern provinces of Limburg and North Brabant. As of 1998, themarechaussee is a separate branch of the Dutch military, and is assigned both military and civilian police tasks.
City Marshal of the City of London, on duty at the Lord Mayor's Show.
The hereditary title of "marshal" at one time designated the head of household security for theKing of England.William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, served four kings in this office, ultimately becoming one of the most powerful men in Europe; by the time he died in 1219, people throughout Europe (not just England) referred to William Marshal simply as "the marshal".[citation needed] The office of hereditary Marshal (orEarl Marshal) thus evolved into that of aGreat Officer of State.[11]
The task of maintaining law and order within the king's court then devolved upon the office ofKnight Marshal (established in 1236). Together with his officers, the King's (or Queen's) Marshalmen, the Knight Marshal continued to have restricted powers of arrest within a 12-mile (19 km) radius of the sovereign's palace until 1846, when the office was abolished.[citation needed]
In 1595,Queen Elizabeth I issuedletters patent giving powers to a marshal to maintain order within theCity of London. Later, an under-marshal and six city marshalmen were appointed to assist the marshal in his duties. As a result of the Police Acts of 1829 and 1839, the marshal's role changed significantly. As of 2009[update], one city marshal, currently Colonel Billy King-Harman,CBE, still acts as peacekeeper to theLord Mayor of London, leading processions and representing the Lord Mayor at all Entries of Troops (challenging and then escorting those fewregiments entitled to march though the City of London).[12]
The office of "Marischal of Scotland" (marascallus Scotie ormarscallus Scotie) had been held heritably by the senior member of theKeith[11] family sinceHervey de Keith, who held the office of marischal underMalcolm IV andWilliam I. The descendant of Herveus, Sir Robert de Keith (d. 1332), was confirmed in the office of "Great Marischal of Scotland" byRobert Bruce around 1324.
Robert de Keith's great-grandson, William, was raised to the peerage as Earl Marischal byJames II in about 1458. The peerage died out when George Keith, the 10th Earl, forfeited it by joining theJacobite Rising of 1715.
The separate office ofKnight Marischal was first created for the Scottish coronation ofCharles I in 1633. The office is not heritable, although it has been held by members of the Keith family.
Thefederal court system in the United States has 94 federaljudicial districts, each with a court (with one or morejudges), aUnited States Attorney with assistants such asprosecutors and governmentlawyers and a marshal, appointed by thepresident, in charge of federal law enforcement. The courts are part of the independent judicial branch of the government, while the marshals and U.S. attorneys are part of theDepartment of Justice in theexecutive branch. The U.S. marshal for the district primarily oversees court security and has a unit of appointed deputies and special deputies. (Other law enforcement operations and the federal prison system are handled by other federal police agencies.) TheUnited States Marshals Service is a professional,civil service unit offederal police, part of the system of marshals, made up of career law enforcement personnel rather than the appointed district marshals. The U.S. Marshals Service assists with court security and prisoner transport, asset forfeiture, servesarrest warrants and seeksfugitives.
In many U.S. states, marshals can be found acting at the state, local ormunicipal level; marshals can be courtbailiffs orprocess servers, or even fully sworn police officers. In some states, they may be swornpeace officers, however their job is, in certain cases, entirely civil rather than criminal law enforcement. In other states, some communities maintain a Town or City Marshal who is responsible for all general law enforcement within the respective jurisdiction, as well as court duties, while others are strictly court officers. This is especially true in communities with both police and marshals. The position of marshal vastly differs from state to state. At least one local railroad servicing company's part-time public safety staff, which are both fire and police trained, is supervised by a chief marshal.
American Old West (for example,Arizona Territory andTexas of the 1880s): Marshals, usually calledtown marshals orcity marshals (since the larger cities were often punctilious about their titles), were appointed or electedpolice officers of small communities, with powers and duties similar to those of a police chief; these powers generally ended at the border of the community. By contrast, federal marshals (U.S. marshals) worked in a larger territory, especially in pioneer country, and this area could potentially overlap with the state or territorial office ofcounty sheriff (who then, as now, policed communities, as well as areas between communities). The wordmarshal is still used in this sense, especially in theAmerican Southwest. (SeeList of Western lawmen.) Town or city marshal is still the name for the head officer of some community police forces.
Arizona: Cities and towns decide whether to appoint or elect a marshal, or have the board, council, orcity manager hire achief of police as the top criminal law enforcement official for their jurisdiction (as in the town ofTombstone). Marshals are elected by the trustees to serve a fixed term, and chiefs of police can be fired at will by whoever hired them, just like any other employee.
California: Several urban counties (includingLos Angeles,San Bernardino County, California, andSan Diego) once maintained separate county marshal's offices, which served as court officers similar to U.S. marshals orconstables, but mainly for the municipal court system. This system was abolished by state law in 2000, when the sheriffs of those counties announced that those counties' marshals would be absorbed into their departments. Therefore, many have been merged into or taken over by the local county sheriff's office, with the exceptions ofShasta County andTrinity County both located in Northern California. As of 2010, the marshal ofSan Benito County has been disbanded as an independent organization, with its employees becoming part of the sheriff's office. California also has fire marshals and deputy fire marshals, who may work for the State of California Fire Marshal's Office, or various county, city or special districts throughout the state. Fire marshals and deputy fire marshals are full-time sworn peace officers throughout the state, with powers of arrest statewide under section 830.37 of theCalifornia Penal Code. Their responsibilities include fire andarson investigation, bomb and explosives investigation, general law enforcement, as well as enforcement of thefire code.
Colorado: Cities, towns and villages decide whether to appoint or elect a marshal, or have the board, council, or city manager hire a chief of police as the top criminal law enforcement for their jurisdiction. Marshals are elected by the trustees to serve a fixed term, and chiefs of police can be fired at will by whoever hired them, just like any other employee.
Connecticut: In 2000, Connecticut eliminated the county sheriff system, and replaced it with two types of marshals.State marshals operate out of the executive branch of state government. They are sworn peace officers who perform a wide range of duties, including service of process, seizing money and property under court order, evictions, serving tax warrants, and arresting individuals onbench warrants.Judicial marshals are employed by the judicial branch. They are sworn peace officers who perform court security and transport detainees to and from court.
Georgia: The marshal is a commissioned armed and uniformed law enforcement officer of the county state courts which have jurisdiction over civil matters and state ordinances. In the Atlanta metro counties, marshal's offices enforce evictions, foreclosures, subpoenas, civil forfeitures, judgements, seizure, liens, repossession, and garnishment. With a few exceptions, elsewhere in Georgia, the sheriff's office is responsible for enforcement of these duties, with some sheriffs' offices having an assigned unit or personnel for these duties.
Indiana: Indiana Town Marshals are fully-sworn,ILEA certified police officers who act as the chief police officer of atown. General police terms in Indiana vary by what local government one works for; for example: counties have Sheriff's/deputies, cities have Police Departments/Officers and Towns have Marshals/deputies. In Indiana, a town is managed by a council without an electedmayor, whereas acity has a mayor and, thus, a city police department.[13] Marshals are responsible for all law enforcement in their respective town, and their primary duties are the enforcement of local and state laws orordinances as well as code enforcement. The Town Marshal may also be the town'shumane law enforcement officer. Town marshals are fully sworn state certified police officers though theIndiana Law Enforcement Academy, having law enforcement authority statewide; therefore, it is not at all uncommon for Town Marshals to be seen outside of their bailiwicks assisting other police agencies. Some town marshal agencies in Indiana can be quite large. A Town Marshal can appoint any number of unpaid deputy town marshals or reserve officers who may exercise full police powers in the state. Indiana Town Marshals are authorized to enforce not only city/town code, but also county ordinances; this differs from city police departments where a city police officer may only enforce city code or a sheriff's deputy, who may only enforce county code.Indiana Code recognizes Town Marshals as Police Officers, therefore it is very common for Indiana Town Marshal's Offices to go simply by "Police Department" .
UnderIndiana Code IC36-5-7 the marshal is described as "the chief police officer of the town and has the powers of other law enforcement officers in executing the orders of the legislative body and enforcing laws. The marshal or his deputy:
shall serve all process directed to him by the town court or legislative body;
shall arrest without process all persons who commit an offense within his view, take them before a court having jurisdiction, and detain them in custody until the cause of the arrest has been investigated;
shall suppress breaches of the peace;
may, if necessary, call the power of the town to his aid;
may pursue and jail persons who commit an offense."
Maine: The State Marshal Service provides physical security and law enforcement duties to the judicial system, as well as protection of all state judges. Deputy marshals are fully sworn state law enforcement officers with statewide authority.
State marshals provide physical security and law enforcement duties to the judicial system, as well as protection of all state judges. Deputy marshals are fully sworn state law enforcement officers with statewide authority.
City marshals, at the local level in the State of Missouri, are elected chief law enforcement officers of a city. They have the same police powers as a regular police officer within the city limits. The amount of training to be a city marshal is far less than a regular municipal police officer; as such, a marshal's jurisdiction is strictly limited to the city limits of the city to which they are elected. Even if they witness a violation of the law in their city, they cannot pursue a person who flees beyond the city limits. The position of city marshal is rare in the state of Missouri and is only found in very small rural cities that do not have the budget to maintain a police department.[14][15][16]
City marshals and deputy city marshals have, by law, the same authority as a municipal (town or city) police officer. However, those municipalities, such as Las Vegas, that have both a police force as well as a city marshal's office, often utilize the police as the general law enforcement agency of the municipality, while public property security and misdemeanor detention services are provided by the city marshal's office. In municipalities that do not have a police department, the county sheriff's office would serve as the agency that provides general law enforcement services to residents.
Municipal court marshals who serve the municipal court by serving warrants and subpoenas and to make arrests for offenses under the jurisdiction of the municipal court; and to maintain order in the court and escort personnel to court and jail.[17]
City marshals who provide law enforcement services to city employees, residents and tourists utilizing city facilities located within the city limits, specifically those located on property owned, leased, operated or otherwise under the control of the city of Las Vegas. Conduct special operations aimed at reducing certain criminal activity in specific areas of the city, for example, traffic enforcement in neighborhoods, abatement of illegal solicitors at intersections and the removal of abandoned vehicles. Conducting security and safety evaluations requested by city departments at various facilities, buildings and workplaces.[18]
Henderson has Marshals as well:
Municipal Court Marshals work for the courts by serving warrants and to make arrests for offenses under the jurisdiction of the municipal court; and to maintain order in the court and escort personnel to court and jail.[17]
City marshals are the elected chief law enforcement officers of a city or town. They have the same police powers as a regular police officer within the city limits. The amount of training to be a city marshal is far less than for a regular municipal police officer; as such a marshal's jurisdiction is strictly limited to the city limits of the city to which they are elected. Even if they witness a violation of the law in their city, they cannot pursue a person who flees beyond the city limits. The position of city marshal is rare in the State of New York and is now only found in very small rural cities that do not have the budget to maintain a police department.
New York City Marshals are appointed by theMayor of New York City to five-year terms, but receive no salary from the city. The city's statutes specify that no more than 83 city marshals shall be appointed by a mayor. Marshals primarily enforce orders from civil court cases, including collecting on judgments, towing, seizing utility meters and carrying outevictions. Marshals collectively perform approximately 25,000 evictions per year. They are regulated by theNYC Department of Investigation but, unlike thecity sheriff, they are not city employees. Marshals collect fees, which are set by statute, from private litigants when they are called on to enforce judgments, and they also retain five percent of any money they collect onjudgments. City marshals may, depending on the court order brought to them by the winning litigant, seize money, movable property (for instance, inventory from a business), vehicles; as is the case with unpaidparking tickets, and return possession of rental premises to the landlord, (also known as eviction), and more. On an annual basis city marshals must pay the City of New York $1,500 plus 4.5 percent of the fees they receive for collecting judgments.
Ohio: The termvillage marshal has been used for the same function, often filled without colleagues, directly under the mayor.
Texas: City marshals and deputy city marshals have, by law, the same authority as a municipal (village, town, or city) police officer. However, municipalities (likeFort Worth), that have both a police force as well as a city marshal's office, often utilize the police as the general law enforcement agency of the municipality, while court security and process service is provided by the city marshal's office. In municipalities that do not have a police department, the city marshal's office sometimes serves as the agency that provides general law enforcement services to residents.[19]
Washington State: The city ofSeattle employs marshals in their municipal court, with the senior officer holding the title of chief marshal and the subordinate officers known as deputy marshals. Seattle Marshals provide court security and law enforcement services within the court. They handle arrests of out-of-custody defendants within the courthouse and transport in custody defendants to and from court hearings.[20] TheKing County Sheriff's Office (county seat in Seattle) also employs court marshals, which is a unit under the sheriff's office. In the Old-West themed town ofWinthrop, the municipal police force is headed by a town marshal, consistent with the Old West restoration of the buildings and tourist attractions.[21]
Wisconsin:The village marshal shall execute and file an official bond. The marshal shall possess the powers, enjoy the privileges and be subject to the liabilities conferred and imposed by law upon constables, and be taken as included in all writs and papers addressed to constables. The marshal shall obey all lawful written orders of the village board. The marshal is entitled to the same fees prescribed for sheriffs in s. 814.70 for similar services, unless a higher fee is applicable under s. 814.705 (1) (c); for other service rendered the village, compensation as the board fixes.
61.28(2) (2) A village marshal who is given law enforcement duties by the village board, and who meets the definition of a law enforcement officer under s. 165.85 (2) (c), shall comply with the minimum employment standards for law enforcement officers established by the law enforcement standards board and shall complete training under s. 165.85 (4) (a) 1. .
^abcp. 93b-283a, T. F. Hoad,The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (Oxford University Press, 1993)
^ab"marshal". Online Etymology Dictionary.Archived from the original on 2018-08-03. Retrieved2018-08-03.
^E. M. Kirkpatrick, ed. (1983).Chambers 20th Century Dictionary. Edinburgh: W & R Chambers Ltd. p. 772.ISBN0-550-10234-5.
^Elmar Seebold, ed. (2002).Kluge, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache (24th ed.). Berlin – New York: Walter de Gruyter. p. 1112.ISBN978-3-11-017473-1.
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