Marshal of the Realm (Denmark)

Marshal of the Realm
Rigsmarsk
Longest serving
Claus Rønnow
1449–1480
TypeRoyal military advisor
Reports tothe King
Appointerthe King
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Final holderJohan Christoffer von Kørbitz
Abolished1677

The Marshal of the Realm (Danish: Marsk, from 1536 Rigsmarsk), was the chief advisor to the King on military matters concerning the infantry and cavalry. It was the third highest office in the country after the Steward of the Realm and the Chancellor.[1] The Rigsmarsk was appointed by the king from among Danish-born nobles.

In the beginning the Marsk was one of the king's men and Stig Andersen Hvide used the title Regis Danorum Marscalcus (transl. Marshal of the Danish King) shortly before his conviction in 1287 for the murder of King Eric V. Over the course of the 15th century, the Marsk came to represent the Realm (Privy Council), rather than the King, and in 1536 the title was finally changed to Rigsmarsk or Marscalcus Regni.[2]

After the Scanian War and with the introduction of absolute monarchy the office disappeared. Anders Bille died a Swedish prisoner of war and Axel Urup then served as a Rigsmarsk from 1658 to 1660 but was never formally appointed. After that the title continued to exist for a while as a sort of honorary title but was then abandoned. The function was taken over by generals who had been promoted through the ranks rather than being chosen among nobles.[3]

List of officeholders

List of Marsks and Rigsmarsks.[3]

No. Portrait Name
(born–died) 		Term of office Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
Marsk
Claus Rønnow
(?–1486) 		12 December 1449 1481 31–32 years
Rigsmarsk
Eskil Gøye
(?–1506) 		1489 1502 12–13 years
Tyge Krabbe [da]
(1474–1541) 		1502 1520 17–18 years
Otto Krumpen
(1473–1569) 		1520 1523 2–3 years
Tyge Krabbe [da]
(1474–1541) 		1523 1541 17–18 years
Erik Eriksen Banner [da]
(1484–1554) 		1541 1554 12–13 years
Otto Krumpen
(1473–1569) 		1554 1567 12–13 years
Frands Brockenhuus [da]
(1518–1569) 		1567 14 November 1569 † 1–2 years
Josias von Qualen [da]
(?–1586) 		1569 1573 3–4 years
Holger Ottesen Rosenkrantz [da]
(1517–1575) 		1573 1575 † 1–2 years
Peder Gyldenstjerne
(1533–1594) 		1575 1593 19–20 years
Hak Holgersen Ulfstand
(1535–1594) 		1593 1594 0–1 years
Peder Munk
(1534–1623) 		1596 1608 11–12 years
Steen Maltesen Sehested [da]
(1553–1611) 		1610 22 August 1611 † 0–1 years
Jørgen Lunge
(1577–1619) 		1616 19 August 1619 † 2–3 years
Jørgen Skeel [da]
(1578–1631) 		1627 19 July 1631 † 3–4 years
Jørgen Knudsen Urne
(1598–1642) 		1632 19 February 1642 † 9–10 years
Anders Bille
(1600–1657) 		1642 10 November 1657 † 14–15 years
Axel Urup
(1601–1671) 		1658 1660 1–2 years
Johan Christoffer von Kørbitz
(1612–1682) 		22 November 1660 1677 16–17 years

See also

References

  1. ^ Madsen, Emil (1904). "De nationale Tropper, samt Hærvæsenets Styrelse i det 16. Aarhundrede" (PDF). Historisk Tidsskrift (in Danish). 5 (7): 199–200. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Marsk" (in Danish). Kroneborg.dk. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Danske marske" (in Danish). roskildehistorie.dk. Retrieved 2011-07-04.