Rigsmarsk (Denmark)
Encyclopedia
The Marsk, from 1536 the Rigsmarsk, was in Denmark
the head of the armed forces from the beginning of the 13th century until the introduction of the absolute monarchy
in the 1660s. 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. During some periods, the king chose to leave the office vacant and instead personally lead the military. This was the case from 1380/81 and until 1440.
In the beginning the Marsk was one of the king's men and Stig Andersen Hvide
used the title Regis Danorum Marscalcus ("Marsk of the Danish King") 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 Marscalcus Regni.
After the Scania 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 honarary 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.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
the head of the armed forces from the beginning of the 13th century until the introduction of the absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
in the 1660s. 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. During some periods, the king chose to leave the office vacant and instead personally lead the military. This was the case from 1380/81 and until 1440.
In the beginning the Marsk was one of the king's men and Stig Andersen Hvide
Stig Andersen Hvide
Stig Andersen Hvide was a Danish nobleman and magnate, known as the leading man among the outlaws after the murder of King Eric V of Denmark. In Danish tradition, he is known as Marsk Stig.-Biography:...
used the title Regis Danorum Marscalcus ("Marsk of the Danish King") shortly before his conviction in 1287 for the murder of King Eric V
Eric V of Denmark
Eric V "Klipping" was King of Denmark and son of Christopher I. Until 1264 he ruled under the auspices of his mother, the competent Queen Dowager Margaret Sambiria. Between 1261 and 1262, Eric was a prisoner in Holstein following a military defeat...
. 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 Marscalcus Regni.
After the Scania War and with the introduction of absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
the office disappeared. Anders Bille
Anders Bille
Anders Bille was the Danish Rigsmarsk, the officer leading the entire armed forces of Denmark, from 1642.From 1635 to 1643 he was the Governor of Ösel ....
died a Swedish prisoner of war and Axel Urup
Axel Urup
Axel Urup was a Danish military engineer and commander, Rigsmarsk and Supreme Court justice.-Biography:In 1621 he travelled abroad and served in the Dutch defence of Bergen and Zoom...
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 honarary 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 holders of the office
Holders of the 'Rigsmarsk' office:| Year | Rigsmarsk |
|---|---|
| Eskil Gøye | 1475–1502 |
| Thyge Krabbe | 1502–1520 |
| Otto Krumpen | 1529–1523 |
| Thyge Krabbe | 1523–1541 |
| Erik Eriksen Banner | 1541–1554 |
| Otto Krumpen | 1554–1567 |
| Frands Brockenhuus | 1567–1569 |
| Josias von Qualen | 1569–1573 |
| Holger Ottesen Rosenkrantz | 1573– 1575 |
| Peder Gyldenstjerne | 1575–1593 |
| Hak Holgersen Ulfstand | 1593–1594 |
| Peder Munk | 1596–1608 |
| Sten Maltesen Sehested | 1510–1511 |
| Jørgen Lunge Jørgen Lunge Jørgen Lunge was a Danish nobleman who served as Rigsmarsk from 1616 to 1619.-Biography:Lunge was born in Odden on 11 October 1577 to Ove Lunge and Anne Maltesdatter Sehested... |
1616–1619 |
| Vacant | 1619—1627 |
| Jørgen Skeel | 1627–1632 |
| Jørgen Knudsen Urne Jørgen Knudsen Urne Jørgen Knudsen Urne was a Danish noble who served as Rigsmarsk from 1632 to 1642.-Biography:The son of Knud Axelsen Urne and Margrethe Eilertsdatter Grubbe, Jørgen Knudsen Urne was born on 17 October 1598 at Halsted Abbey which his father held as a fief... |
1532–1542 |
| Anders Bille Anders Bille Anders Bille was the Danish Rigsmarsk, the officer leading the entire armed forces of Denmark, from 1642.From 1635 to 1643 he was the Governor of Ösel .... |
1642–1657 |
| Axel Urup Axel Urup Axel Urup was a Danish military engineer and commander, Rigsmarsk and Supreme Court justice.-Biography:In 1621 he travelled abroad and served in the Dutch defence of Bergen and Zoom... |
1658–1660 |
| Johan Christoffer von Kørbitz | 1660–1677 |