Field marshal (; ) was the highest rank of the Royal Danish Army until its abolition in 1842.
History The origins of the rank can be traced back to the creation of the rank of field lord () and field colonel (, ). These ranks were based on German origins.
Initially, there were two ranks: was the highest cavalry commander, and was the highest commander of the infantry. These were later merged to a single rank called .
On 25 May 1671, the ranks were codified, by King Christian V, with the publication of the Danish order of precedence. Here General field marshal () was the highest rank, with placed just below, and Quartermaster general below that.
List of field marshals
Portrait Name Appointed Retired Meindert van Ham June 1536 5 August 1536 Johan Rantzau 1559 Günther XLI, Count of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt 1563 1563 15 December 1564 Otte Krumpen 15 December 1564 19 July 1565 Daniel Rantzau 19 July 156524 October 1567 11 November 1569 12 November 1569 1581 Hans Schack 11 February 1659 Paul Würtz July 1665 31 October 1665 Claus von Ahlefeldt 1671 John Adolphus, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön 20 January 1676 May 1683 1687 Frederick Ernest of Brandenburg-Kulmbach 12 July 1745 1762 1748 7 September 1755 1749 24 December 1758 30 June 1756 7 September 1757 Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain 1 December 1760 5 December 1767 Frederick Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg 1764 1784 Christian August of Augustenburg 25 July 1808 Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel 1815 17 August 1836 Prince Frederik of Hesse 17 August 1836 31 March 1842
See also Marshal of the Realm (Denmark) Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army
References Citations
Sources
da:Feltmarskal