Marshal of France

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 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.

As with any official position, the distinction of Marshal of France is awarded by executive decree, but usually after a special law voted by the French Parliament.

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 that 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 (died 1191), Marshal of France in 1185

Matthew II of Montmorency, Lord of Montmorency and Marly, Marshal of France in 1191

Guillaume de Bournel (died 1195), Marshal of France in 1192

Nivelon d'Arras (died 1204), Marshal of France in 1202

Henry I Clément, called the "Little Marshal", Lord of Le Mez and of Argentan (1170–1214), Marshal of France in 1204

Jean III Clément, Lord of Le Mez and of Argentan (died 1262), Marshal of France in 1214

Guillaume de la Tournelle (dates unknown), Marshal of France in 1220

Louis IX, 1226–1270

Ferry Pasté, Lord of Challeranges (died 1247), Marshal of France in 1240

Jean Guillaume de Beaumont (died 1257), Marshal of France in 1250

Henri de Cousances (died 1268), Marshal of France in 1255

Gauthier III, Lord of Nemours (died 1270), Marshal of France in 1257

Henri II Clément, Lord of Le Mez and Argentan (died 1265), Marshal of France in 1262

Héric de Beaujeu (died 1270), Marshal of France in 1265

Renaud de Précigny (died 1270), Marshal of France in 1265

Hugh of Mirepoix, Marshal of France in 1266

Raoul II Sores (died 1282), Marshal of France in 1270

Lancelot de Saint-Maard (died 1278), Marshal of France in 1270

Philip III, 1270–1285

Ferry de Verneuil (died 1283), Marshal of France in 1272

Guillaume V du Bec Crespin (died 1283), Marshal of France in 1283

Jean II d'Harcourt, Viscount of Châtellerault, Lord of Harcourt (died 1302), Marshal of France in 1283

Raoul V Le Flamenc (died 1287), Marshal of France in 1285

Philip IV, 1285–1314

Jean de Varennes (died 1292), Marshal of France in 1288

Simon de Melun, Lord of La Loupe and of Marcheville (died 1302), Marshal of France in 1290

Guy Ier de Clermont de Nesle (died 1302), Marshal of France in 1292

Foulques du Merle (died 1314), Marshal of France in 1302

Miles VI de Noyers (died 1350), Marshal of France in 1302

Jean de Corbeil, Lord of Grez (died 1318), Marshal of France in 1308

Louis X, 1314–1316

Jean IV de Beaumont (died 1318), Marshal of France in 1315

Philip V, 1316–1322

Mathieu de Trie (died 1344), Marshal of France in 1318

Jean des Barres (dates unknown), Marshal of France in 1318

Bernard VI de Moreuil, Lord of Moreuil (died 1350), Marshal of France in 1322

Charles IV, 1322–1328

Robert-Jean Bertran de Briquebec, Baron of Briquebec, Viscount of Roncheville (1285–1348), Marshal of France in 1325

Valois

Philip VI, 1328–1350

Anseau de Joinville (1265–1343), Marshal of France in 1339

Charles I de Montmorency, Lord of Montmorency (1325–1381), Marshal of France in 1344

Robert de Waurin, Lord of Saint-Venant (died 1360), Marshal of France in 1344

Guy II de Nesle, Lord of Offémont and of Mello (died 1352), Marshal of France in 1345

Édouard I de Beaujeu, Lord of Châteauneuf (1316–1351), Marshal of France in 1347

Jean II 1350–1364

Arnoul d'Audrehem, Lord of Audrehem (died 1370), Marshal of France in 1351

Rogues de Hangest, Lord of Avesnecourt (died 1352), Marshal of France in 1352

Jean de Clermont, Lord of Chantilly and of Beaumont (died 1356), Marshal of France in 1352

Jean I Le Maingre (1310–1367), Marshal of France in 1356

Charles V, 1364–1380

Jean IV de Mauquenchy, Lord of Blainville (died 1391), Marshal of France in 1368

Louis de Sancerre, Count of Sancerre (1342–1402), Marshal of France in 1369

Charles VI, 1380–1422

Jean II Le Meingre (1364–1421), Marshal of France in 1391

Jean II de Rieux, Lord of Rochefort and of Rieux (1342–1417), Marshal of France in 1397

Pierre de Rieux, Lord of Rochefort and of Rieux (1389–1439), Marshal of France in 1417

Claude de Beauvoir, Lord of Chastellux and Viscount of Avallon (1385–1453), Marshal of France in 1418

Jean de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam (1384–1437), Marshal of France in 1418

Jacques de Montberon, Lord of Engoumois (died 1422), Marshal of France in 1418

Gilbert Motier de La Fayette (1396–1464), Marshal of France in 1421

Antoine de Vergy (died 1439), Marshal of France in 1422

Jean de La Baume, Count of Montrevel-en-Bresse (died 1435), Marshal of France in 1422

Charles VII, 1422–1461

Amaury de Séverac, Lord of Beaucaire and of Chaude-Aigues (died 1427), Marshal of France in 1424

Jean de Brosse, Baron of Boussac and of Sainte-Sévère (1375–1433), Marshal of France in 1426

Gilles de Rais, Lord of Ingrande and of Champtocé (c. 1405 – 1440), Marshal of France in 1429

André de Laval-Montmorency, Lord of Lohéac and of Retz (1408–1486), Marshal of France in 1439

Philippe de Culant, Lord of Jaloignes, of La Croisette, of Saint-Armand and of Chalais (died 1454), Marshal of France in 1441

Jean Poton de Xaintrailles, Seneschal de Limousin (1390–1461), Marshal of France in 1454

Louis XI, 1461–1483

Joachim Rouhault de Gamaches, Lord of Boismenard (died 1478), Marshal of France in 1461

Jean de Lescun, Count of Comminges (died 1473), Marshal of France in 1461

Wolfart VI Van Borselleen, Lord of Veere in Zeeland and Earl of Buchan in Scotland (died 1487), Marshal of France in 1464

Pierre de Rohan de Gié, Lord of Rohan (1450–1514), Marshal of France in 1476

Charles VIII, 1483–1498

Philippe de Crèvecœur d'Esquerdes (1418–1494), Marshal of France in 1486

Jean de Baudricourt, Lord of Choiseul and Bailiff of Chaumont (died 1499), Marshal of France in 1486

Valois-Orléans

Louis XII, 1498–1515

Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, Marquis of Vigevano (1448–1518), Marshal of France in 1499

Charles II d'Amboise, Lord of Chaumont, of Meillan and of Charenton (1473–1511), Marshal of France in 1506

Odet de Foix, Vicomte de Lautrec, Viscount of Lautrec (1485–1528), Marshal of France in 1511

Robert Stewart, Lord of Aubigny, Count of Lennox (1470–1544), Marshal of France in 1514

Valois-Angoulême

Francis I 1515–1547

Jacques II de Chabannes, Lord of La Palice (died 1525), Marshal of France in 1515

Gaspard I de Coligny, Lord of Châtillon-sur-Loing (died 1522), Marshal of France in 1516

Thomas de Foix-Lescun (died 1525), Marshal of France in 1518

Anne de Montmorency, Duke of Montmorency and Baron of Damville, Count of Beaumont-sur-Oise and of Dammartin, Viscount of Melun, first Baron of France and Grand Master, Constable of France etc. (1492–1567), Marshal of France in 1522

Théodor Trivulce (1458–1531), Marshal of France in 1526

Robert III de La Marck, Duke of Bouillon, Lord of Sedan (1491–1537), Marshal of France in 1526

Claude d'Annebaut (1500–1552), Marshal of France in 1538

René de Montjean (died 1538), Lord of Montjean, Marshal of France in 1538

Oudard du Biez, Seigneur of Le Biez (died 1553), Marshal of France in 1542

Antoine de Lettes-Desprez, Lord of Montpezat (1490–1544), Marshal of France in 1544

Jean Caraccioli, Prince of Melphes (1480–1550), Marshal of France in 1544

Henry II 1547–1559

Jacques d'Albon de Saint-André, Marquis of Fronsac (died 1562), Marshal of France 1547

Robert IV de La Marck, Duke of Bouillon and Prince of Sedan (1520–1556), Marshal of France in 1547

Charles de Cossé, Count of Brissac (1505–1563), Marshal of France in 1550

Pietro Strozzi (1500–1558), Marshal of France in 1554

Paul de La Barthe, Lord of Thermes (1482–1562), Marshal of France in 1558

Francis II 1559–1560

François de Montmorency, Duke of Montmorency (1530–1579), Marshal of France in 1559

Charles IX, 1560–1574

François de Scépeaux, Lord of Vieilleville (1509–1571), Marshal of France in 1562

Imbert de La Plâtière, Lord of Bourdillon (1524–1567), Marshal of France in 1562

Henri I de Montmorency, Lord of Damville, Duke of Montmorency, Count of Dammartin and Alais, Baron of Chateaubriant, Lord of Chantilly and Ecouen (1534–1614), Marshal of France in 1566

Artus de Cossé-Brissac, Lord of Gonnor and Count of Secondigny (1512–1582), Marshal of France in 1567

Gaspard de Saulx, Lord of Tavannes (1509–1575), Marshal of France in 1570

Honorat II de Savoye, Marquis of Villars (1511–1580), Marshal of France in 1571

Albert de Gondi, Duke of Retz (1522–1602), Marshal of France in 1573

Henry III 1574–1589

Roger I de Saint-Lary, Lord of Bellegarde (died 1579), Marshal of France in 1574

Blaise de Lasseran-Massencôme, Seigneur de Montluc (1500–1577), Marshal of France in 1574

Louis Prévost de Sansac, Baron de Sansac (1496–1576), Marshal of France

Armand de Gontaut, Baron de Biron (1524–1592), Marshal of France in 1577

Jacques II de Goyon, Lord of Matignon and of Lesparre, Count of Thorigny, Prince of Mortagne sur Gironde (1525–1597), Marshal of France in 1579

Jean VI d'Aumont, Baron of Estrabonne, Count of Châteauroux (1522–1595), Marshal of France

Guillaume de Joyeuse, Viscount of Joyeuse, Lord of Saint-Didier, of Laudun, of Puyvert and of Arques (1520–1592), Marshal of France in 1582

Bourbons

Henry IV 1589–1610

Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne, Duc de Bouillon (1555–1623), Marshal of France in 1592

Charles de Gontaut, Duc de Biron (1562–1602), Marshal of France in 1594

Claude de La Châtre (1536–1614), Marshal of France in 1594

Jean de Montluc de Balagny (1560–1603), Marshal of France in 1594

Charles II de Cossé, Duke of Brissac (1562–1621), Marshal of France in 1594

Jean III de Baumanoir, Marquis of Lavardin and Count of Nègrepelisse (1551–1614), Marshal of France in 1595

Henri, Duke of Joyeuse (1567–1608), Marshal of France in 1595

Urbain de Montmorency-Laval, Marquis of Sablé (1557–1629), Marshal of France in 1595

Alphonse d'Ornano (1548–1610), Marshal of France in 1597

Guillaume de Hautemer, Count of Grancey (1537–1613), Marshal of France in 1597

François de Bonne, Duke of Lesdiguières (1543–1626), Marshal of France in 1608

Louis XIII, 1610–1643

Concino Concini, Marquis of Ancre (1575–1617), Marshal of France in 1613

Gilles de Courtenvaux, Marquis of Souvré (1540–1626), Marshal of France in 1614

Antoine, Baron de Roquelaure (1560–1625), Marshal of France in 1614

Louis de La Châtre, Baron de Maisonfort (died 1630), Marshal of France in 1616

Pons de Lauzières-Thémines-Cardaillac, Marquis of Thémines (1553–1627), Marshal of France in 1616

François de La Grange d'Arquian, Lord of Montigny and of Séry in Bérry (1554–1617), Marshal of France in 1616

Nicolas de L'Hôpital, Duke of Vitry (1581–1644), Marshal of France in 1617

Charles de Choiseul-Praslin, Marquis of Praslin (1563–1626), Marshal of France in 1619

Jean-François de La Guiche, Count of La Palice (1569–1632), Marshal of France in 1619

Honoré d'Albert d'Ailly, Duke of Chaulnes (1581–1649), Marshal of France in 1620

François d'Esparbes de Lussan, Viscount of Aubeterre (c. 1571–1628), Marshal of France in 1620

Charles de Créquy, Prince of Poix, Duke of Lesdiguières (1580–1638), Marshal of France in 1621

Jacques Nompar de Caumont, Duke of La Force (1558–1652), Marshal of France in 1621

Louis XIV, 1643–1715

César, Duke of Choiseul (1598–1675), Marshal of France in 1645

Josias, Count of Rantzau (1609–1650), Marshal of France in 1645

Nicolas de Neufville, Duke of Villeroi (1597–1685), Marshal of France in 1646

Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron, Duc d'Aumont (1601–1669), Marshal of France in 1651

Jacques d'Étampes, Marquis of la Ferté-Imbault (1590–1663), Marshal of France in 1651

Henri, Duke of la Ferté-Senneterre (1600–1681), Marshal of France in 1651

Charles de Monchy, Marquis d'Hocquincourt (1599–1658), Marshal of France in 1651

Jacques Rouxel, Count of Grancey (1603–1680), Marshal of France in 1651

Armand Nompar de Caumont, Duke of La Force (1582–1672), Marshal of France in 1652

Philippe de Clérambault, Count of Palluau (1606–1665), Marshal of France in 1652

César Phoebus d'Albret, Count of Miossens (1614–1676), Marshal of France in 1653

Louis de Foucault de Saint-Germain Beaupré Count of Le Daugnon (1616–1659), Marshal of France in 1653

Jean de Schulemberg, Count of Montejeu (1597–1671), Marshal of France in 1658

Abraham de Fabert, Marquis of Esternay (1599–1662), Marshal of France in 1658

Louis XV, 1715–1774

Victor-Maurice, comte de Broglie (1646–1727), Marshal of France in 1724

Antoine Gaston Jean Baptiste, Duke of Roquelaure (1656–1738), Marshal of France in 1724

Jacques Rouxel, Count of Grancey and of Médavy (1655–1725), Marshal of France in 1724

Éléonor du Maine, Count of Le Bourg (1655–1739), Marshal of France in 1724

Yves, marquis d'Alègre (1653–1733), Marshal of France in 1724

Louis d'Aubusson, Duke of la Feuillade (1673–1725), Marshal of France in 1724

Antoine V, Duke of Gramont (1671–1725), Marshal of France in 1724

Alain Emmanuel, Marquis of Coëtlogon (1646–1730), Marshal of France in 1730

Charles de Gontaut, Duke of Biron (1663–1756), Marshal of France in 1734

Jacques de Chastenet, Marquis of Puységur (1665–1743), Marshal of France in 1734

Claude Bidal, Marquis of Asfeld (1665–1743), Marshal of France in 1734

Adrien-Maurice, 3rd duc de Noailles (1678–1766), Marshal of France in 1734

Christian Louis de Montmorency-Luxembourg, Prince de Tingry (1713–1787), Marshal of France in 1734

François Marie II, Duke of Broglie (1671–1745), Marshal of France in 1734

Louis XVI, 1774–1792

Anne Pierre, Duke of Harcourt (1701–1783), Marshal of France in 1775

Louis, 4th duc de Noailles (1713–1793), Marshal of France in 1775

Antoine, Count of Nicolaï (1712–1787), Marshal of France in 1775

Charles, Duke of Fitz-James (1712–1787), Marshal of France in 1775

Philippe, Duke of Mouchy (1715–1794), Marshal of France in 1775

Emmanuel de Durfort, Duke of Duras (1715–1789), Marshal of France in 1775

Louis Nicolas, Duc du Muy (1702–1775), Marshal of France in 1775

Claude, Count of Saint-Germain (1707–1778), Marshal of France in 1775

Guy de Montmorency, Duke of Laval (1723–1798), Marshal of France in 1783

Augustin, Count of Mailly (1708–1794), Marshal of France in 1783

Henri Bouchard de Lussan, Marquis of Aubeterre (1714–1788), Marshal of France in 1783

Charles de Beauvau, Prince of Beauvau-Craon (1720–1793), Marshal of France in 1783

Noël Jourda, Count of Vaux (1705–1788), Marshal of France in 1783

Philippe Henri, marquis de Ségur (1724–1801), Marshal of France in 1783

Jacques de Choiseul-Stainville, Count of Choiseul (1727–1789), Marshal of France in 1783

First Empire

Napoleon I, 1804–1814, 1815

Throughout his reign, Napoleon created a total of twenty-six Marshals of the Empire:

Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Prince of Neuchâtel and of Wagram, Duke of Valangin (1753–1815), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Joachim Murat, Prince of the Empire, Grand Duke of Berg, King of Naples (1767–1815), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey, Duke of Conégliano (1754–1842), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, Count of the Empire (1762–1833), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

André Masséna, Duke of Rivoli, Prince of Essling (1758–1817), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Pierre Augereau, Duke of Castiglione (1757–1816), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (1763–1844), Prince of Pontecorvo, King of Sweden and Norway under the name Charles XIV John (1818–1844), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Guillaume Marie-Anne Brune, Count of the Empire (1763–1815), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Jean-de-Dieu Soult, Duke of Dalmatie (1769–1851), Marshal of the Empire in 1804, Marshal General of France in 1847

Jean Lannes, Duke of Montebello (1769–1809), Marshal of the Empire in 1804 †

Édouard Mortier, Duke of Trévise (1768–1835), Marshal of the Empire in 1804

Restoration

Louis XVIII, 1815–1824

Georges Cadoudal (1771–1804), Marshal of France in 1814 (posthumous)

Jean Victor Marie Moreau (1763–1813), Marshal of France in 1814 (posthumous)

François-Henri de Franquetot de Coigny, Duke of Coigny (1737–1821), Marshal of France in 1816

Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke, Duke of Feltre (1765–1818), Marshal of France in 1816

Pierre Riel de Beurnonville, Marquis of Beurnonville (1752–1821), Marshal of France in 1816

Charles Joseph Hyacinthe du Houx de Viomesnil, Marquis of Viomesnil (1734–1827), Marshal of France in 1816

Jacques Alexandre Law, Marquis of Lauriston (1768–1828), Marshal of France in 1823

Gabriel Jean Joseph Molitor, Count Molitor (1770–1849), Marshal of France in 1823

Charles X, 1824–1830

Louis Aloy de Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Bartenstein, Prince of Hohnlohe-Waldenburg-Bartenstein (1765–1829), Marshal of France in 1827

Nicolas Joseph Maison, Marquis Maison (1771–1840), Marshal of France in 1829

Louis Auguste Victor de Ghaisne de Bourmont, Count of Bourmont (1773–1846), Marshal of France in 1830

July Monarchy

Louis-Philippe 1830–1848

Étienne Maurice Gérard, Count Gérard (1773–1852), Marshal of France in 1830

Bertrand Clauzel, Count Clauzel (1772–1842), Marshal of France in 1831

Emmanuel de Grouchy, Marquis of Grouchy (1766–1847), Marshal of France in 1831

Georges Mouton, Count Lobau (1770–1838), Marshal of France in 1831

Sylvain Charles Valée, Count Valée (1773–1846), Marshal of France in 1837

Horace Sébastiani, Count Sébastiani (1772–1851), Marshal of France in 1840

Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Count d'Erlon (1765–1844), Marshal of France in 1843

Thomas Robert Bugeaud, Duke of Isly (1784–1849), Marshal of France in 1843

Honoré Charles Reille, Count Reille (1775–1860), Marshal of France in 1847

Guillaume Dode de la Brunerie, Viscount de la Brunerie (1775–1851), Marshal of France in 1847

Second Republic

Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, 1848–1852

Jérôme Bonaparte, former King of Westphalia (1784–1860), Marshal of France in 1850

Rémi Joseph Isidore Exelmans, Count Exelmans (1775–1852), Marshal of France in 1851

Jean Isidore Harispe, Count Harispe (1768–1855), Marshal of France in 1851

Jean-Baptiste Philibert Vaillant, Count Vaillant (1790–1872), Marshal of France in 1851

Jacques Leroy de Saint-Arnaud (1798–1854), Marshal of France in 1852

Bernard Pierre Magnan (1791–1865), Marshal of France in 1852

Boniface de Castellane, Marquis of Castellane (1788–1862), Marshal of France in 1852

Second Empire

Napoleon III, 1852–1870

Achille Baraguey d'Hilliers, Count Baraguey d'Hilliers (1795–1878), Marshal of France in 1854

Aimable Pélissier, Duke of Malakoff (1794–1864), Marshal of France in 1855

Jacques Louis Randon, Count Randon (1795–1871), Marshal of France in 1856

François Certain de Canrobert (1809–1895), Marshal of France in 1856

Pierre Bosquet (1810–1861), Marshal of France in 1856

Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta (1809–1893), Marshal of France in 1859

Auguste Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély (1794–1870), Marshal of France in 1859

Adolphe Niel (1802–1869), Marshal of France in 1859

Philippe Antoine d'Ornano, Count of Ornano (1784–1863), Marshal of France in 1861

Élie Frédéric Forey (1804–1872), Marshal of France in 1863

François Achille Bazaine (1811–1888), Marshal of France in 1864

Edmond Le Bœuf (1809–1888), Marshal of France in 1870

Third Republic

Raymond Poincaré, 1913–1920

Joseph Joffre (1852–1931), Marshal of France in 1916

Ferdinand Foch (1851–1929), Marshal of France in 1918

Philippe Pétain (1856–1951), Marshal of France in 1918

Alexandre Millerand, 1920–1924

Joseph Gallieni (1849–1916), Marshal of France in 1921 (posthumous)

Hubert Lyautey (1854–1934), Marshal of France in 1921

Louis Franchet d'Espèrey (1856–1942), Marshal of France in 1921

Marie Émile Fayolle (1852–1928), Marshal of France in 1921

Michel-Joseph Maunoury (1847–1923), Marshal of France in 1923 (posthumous)

Fourth Republic

Vincent Auriol, 1947–1954

Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (1889–1952), Marshal of France in 1952 (posthumous)

Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque (1902–1947), Marshal of France in 1952 (posthumous)

Alphonse Juin (1888–1967), Marshal of France in 1952

Fifth Republic

François Mitterrand, 1981–1995

Marie-Pierre Kœnig (1898–1970), Marshal of France in 1984 (posthumous)

Refused

This distinction was refused by:

Eugène Cavaignac (1802–1857), head of the Government of the Second Republic, in 1848

Louis-Jules Trochu (1815–1896), head of the Government of National Defense, in 1871

Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970), president of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, in 1946.