Earl Marshal

Earl Marshal of England
Arms of the Dukes of Norfolk as Earl Marshal.
since 24 June 2002
StyleHis Grace The Most Noble
TypeGreat Officer of State
Formation1672 (current office granted by Letters Patent)
First holderThe 6th Duke of Norfolk (1672 creation)
SuccessionHereditary
DeputyDeputy Earl Marshal
Knight Marshal (until 1846)
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Earl Marshal (alternatively marschal or marischal) is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England (then, following the Act of Union 1800, in the United Kingdom). He is the eighth of the great officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Constable of England and above the Lord High Admiral. The dukes of Norfolk have held the office since 1672.

The marshal was originally responsible, along with the constable, for the monarch's horses and stables including connected military operations. As a result of the decline of chivalry and sociocultural change, the position of earl marshal has evolved and among his responsibilities today is the organisation of major ceremonial state occasions such as the monarch's coronation in Westminster Abbey and state funerals.[1] He is also the leading officer of arms and oversees the College of Arms. He is the sole judge of the High Court of Chivalry.

The current earl marshal is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, who inherited the position in June 2002. There were formerly an Earl Marshal of Ireland and an Earl Marischal of Scotland.

  1. ^ "The history of the Royal heralds and the College of Arms". The College of Arms website. Retrieved 16 April 2009.