MARSHAL

In old English law. The title borne by several officers of state and of the law, of whom the most important were the following: (1) The earl marshal, who presided in the court of chivalry; (2) the marshal of the king’s house, or knight marshal, whose special authority was in the king’s palace, to hear causes between members of the household, and punish faults committed within the verge; (3) the marshal of the king’s bench prison, who had the custody of that jail; (4) the marshal of the exchequer, who had the custody of the king’s debtors; (5) the marshal of the judge of assize, whose duty was to swear in the grand jury. In American law. An officer pertaining to the organization of the federal judicial system, whose duties are similar to those of a sheriff. He is to execute the process of the United States courts within the district for which he is appointed, etc. Also, in some of the states, this is the name of an officer of police, in a city or borough, having powers and duties corresponding generally to those of a constable or sheriff. Marshal of the queen’s bench. An officer who had the custody of the queen’s bench prison. The St. 5 & 6 Vict. c. 22, abolished this office, and substituted an officer called “keeper of the queen’s prison.”