[After G. feld-marschall.] The title of a military officer of high rank.
1. In continental armies (= Ger. feldmarschall, F. maréshal de camp). In 16th c. and early 17th c., an officer subordinate only to the ‘captain-general’ or ‘general,’ and charged with the control of the encampment and sustenance of the army. As in the case of other designations of military rank, the application greatly changed in the 17th and following centuries. At present, in German-speaking countries and in others (e.g., Russia) which have adopted the term, it is the highest military title, superior to that of general.
[1579. L. and T. Digges, Stratioticos, 126. As shall be ordayned by the Marshals of the fielde.
a. 1587. Garrard, The Arte of Warre (1591), 234. The office of the high Marshall of the field, or maister of the Campe.]
1614. Selden, Titles of Honor, 325. As also the Tribuni Militum (as it were, Field Marshalls) were in the rank of the Equites, at the Theater.
1701. Lond. Gaz., No. 3692/2. Count Muttoni … is entred into the Emperor’s Service, who has made him Lieutenant Field-Marshal-General. Ibid. (1706), No. 4201/2. Field-Marshal-General Herbeville continued there.
1710. Whitworth, An Account of Russia (1758), 66. He [Alexander Menzikoff] was made Prince of the Empire in 1706; Duke of Ingria in 1707; and Felt Marshal in 1709.
1844. W. H. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s, The History of the Ten Years, 1830–40, I. 481. The Russian army, 70,000 strong, with 300 cannon, had passed under the command of Field-marshal Paskewitch, of Erivau, the conqueror of the Persians.
2. In the British army, a general officer of the highest rank.
The title was first conferred in 1736 (see quot.); since then the army has always had a few field-marshals, either members of the royal family or generals who have rendered distinguished services. The Army List for 1894 gives the names of six officers of this rank.
1736. Gent. Mag., VI. 56/1. D. of Argyle, and E. of Orkney, Field-Marshals of Great-Britain.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 29. A Field-Marshal is to be saluted with the Standards and Colours of all the Forces, except the Horse and Foot Guards, and excepting when any of the Royal Family shall be present.
Hence Field-Marshalship.
1855. in Ogilvie, Suppl.
1864. in Worcester (citing Q. Rev.)
