The Marshal of the Realm (, from 1536 ), 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. 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 () 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 .

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.

List of officeholders List of s and s.

Portrait Name Term of office Took office Left office Time in office 1 Johannes Sunesen Before 1202 ? years 2 Johannes Esbernsen Before 1213 ? years 3 Harald Reinmodsen 1220 ? years 4 Iver Tagesen 1250 1252 years 5 Ivar Tokesen Tystofte 1252 1255 years --> Claus Rønnow 12 December 1449 1481 years Eskil Gøye 1489 1502 years 1502 1520 years Otto Krumpen 1520 1523 years 1523 1541 years 1541 1554 years Otto Krumpen 1554 1567 years 1567 14 November 1569 † years 1569 1573 years 1573 1575 † years Peder Gyldenstjerne 1575 1593 years Hak Holgersen Ulfstand 1593 1594 years Peder Munk 1596 1608 years 1610 22 August 1611 † years Jørgen Lunge 1616 19 August 1619 † years 1627 19 July 1631 † years Jørgen Knudsen Urne 1632 19 February 1642 † years Anders Bille 1642 10 November 1657 † years Axel Urup 1658 1660 years Johan Christoffer von Kørbitz 22 November 1660 1677 years

See also Rentekammeret

References

External links Biographies of Marshals of the Realm