Marshal of France


Marshal of France is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished and for a period dormant. It was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration, and one of the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the First French Empire.
Between the end of the 16th century and the middle of the 19th century, six Marshals of France were given the even more exalted rank of Marshal General of France: Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron, François de Bonne, duc de Lesdiguières, Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne, Claude Louis Hector de Villars, Maurice de Saxe, and Jean-de-Dieu Soult.
The distinction of Admiral of France is the equivalent in the French Navy.

History

The title derived from the office of marescallus Franciae created by King Philip II Augustus for Albéric Clément about 1190.
The title was abolished by the National Convention in 1793. It was restored as Marshal of the Empire during the First French Empire by Napoleon. Under the Bourbon Restoration, the title reverted to Marshal of France, and Napoleon III kept that designation.
After the fall of Napoleon III and the Second French Empire, the Third Republic did not use the title until the First World War, when it was recreated as a military distinction and not a rank.
Contrarily to ranks, which are awarded by the army, the distinction of Marshal of France is awarded by a special law voted by the French Parliament. For this reason, it is impossible to demote a Marshal. The most famous case is Philippe Pétain, who was awarded the distinction of Marshal of France for his generalship in World War I, and who was stripped of other positions and titles after his trial for high treason due to his involvement with collaborationist Vichy France: due to the principle of separation of powers, the court that judged him did not have the power to cancel the law that had made him a Marshal in the first place.
The last living Marshal of France was Alphonse Juin, promoted in 1952, who died in 1967. The latest Marshal of France was Marie-Pierre Kœnig, who was made a Marshal posthumously in 1984. Today, the title of Marshal of France can only be granted to a general officer who fought victoriously in war-time.

Insignia and symbols

A Marshal of France wears insignia consisting of seven stars on each shoulder strap. As a symbol of their rank, marshals are also presented with a ceremonial baton — a blue cylinder adorned with stars, which historically featured fleurs-de-lis under the monarchy and eagles during the First French Empire. The baton bears the Latin motto Terror belli, decus pacis, meaning "terror in war, ornament in peace".

Direct Capetians

Philip II, 1180–1223

  • Albéric Clément, Lord of Le Mez, Marshal of France in 1185
  • Matthew II of Montmorency, Lord of Montmorency and Marly, Marshal of France in 1191
  • Guillaume de Bournel, Marshal of France in 1192
  • Nivelon d'Arras, Marshal of France in 1202
  • Henry I Clément, called the "Little Marshal", Lord of Le Mez and of Argentan, Marshal of France in 1204
  • Jean III Clément, Lord of Le Mez and of Argentan, Marshal of France in 1214
  • Guillaume de la Tournelle, Marshal of France in 1220

    Louis IX, 1226–1270

  • Ferry Pasté, Lord of Challeranges, Marshal of France in 1240
  • Jean Guillaume de Beaumont, Marshal of France in 1250
  • Henri de Cousances, Marshal of France in 1255
  • Gauthier III, Lord of Nemours, Marshal of France in 1257
  • Henri II Clément, Lord of Le Mez and Argentan, Marshal of France in 1262
  • Héric de Beaujeu, Marshal of France in 1265
  • Renaud de Précigny, Marshal of France in 1265
  • Hugh of Mirepoix, Marshal of France in 1266
  • Raoul II Sores, Marshal of France in 1270
  • Lancelot de Saint-Maard, Marshal of France in 1270

    Philip III, 1270–1285

  • Ferry de Verneuil, Marshal of France in 1272
  • Guillaume V du Bec Crespin, Marshal of France in 1283
  • Jean II d'Harcourt, Viscount of Châtellerault, Lord of Harcourt, Marshal of France in 1283
  • Raoul V Le Flamenc, Marshal of France in 1285

    Philip IV, 1285–1314

  • Jean de Varennes, Marshal of France in 1288
  • Simon de Melun, Lord of La Loupe and of Marcheville, Marshal of France in 1290
  • Guy Ier de Clermont de Nesle, Marshal of France in 1292
  • Foulques du Merle, Marshal of France in 1302
  • Miles VI de Noyers, Marshal of France in 1302
  • Jean de Corbeil, Lord of Grez, Marshal of France in 1308

    Louis X, 1314–1316

  • Jean IV de Beaumont, Marshal of France in 1315

    Philip V, 1316–1322

  • Mathieu de Trie, Marshal of France in 1318
  • Jean des Barres, Marshal of France in 1318
  • Bernard VI de Moreuil, Lord of Moreuil, Marshal of France in 1322

    Charles IV, 1322–1328

  • Robert-Jean Bertran de Briquebec, Baron of Briquebec, Viscount of Roncheville, Marshal of France in 1325

    Valois

Philip VI, 1328–1350

Louis XII, 1498–1515

Francis I 1515–1547