Earl Marshal

Earl Marshal
Arms of the Dukes of Norfolk as Earl Marshal.
Incumbent Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk since 24 June 2002
Style	His Grace
Inaugural holder	Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk (1672 creation)
Formation	1672 (current office granted by Letters Patent)

Earl Marshal (alternatively Marschal, Marischal or Marshall) is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England (then, following the Act of Union 1800, in the United Kingdom). He is the eighth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Constable and above the Lord High Admiral. The Earl Marshal has among his responsibilities the organisation of major ceremonial state occasions like the monarch's coronation in Westminster Abbey and state funerals. He is also a leading officer of arms and oversees the College of Arms.

The current Earl Marshal is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, who inherited the position in 2002. There was formerly an Earl Marshall of Ireland and Earl Marischal of Scotland.

The office of royal marshal existed in much of Europe, involving managing horses and protecting the monarch. In England the office became hereditary under John FitzGilbert the Marshal (served c.1130—1165) after The Anarchy, and rose in prominence under his second son, William Marshal, later Earl of Pembroke. He served under several kings, acted as regent, and organised funerals and the regency during Henry III's childhood. After passing through his daughter's husband to the Earls of Norfolk, the post evolved into "Earl Marshal" and the title remained unchanged, even after the earldom of Norfolk became a dukedom).