Hofmarschall
Encyclopedia
The Hofmarschall was the administrative official in charge of a princely German court, supervising all its economic affairs.
Historically, every civil service was regarded as court service (eg the Russian nobility is even now called the "Dworjanstwo", i.e. courtiers), though today high officials in the royal courts that still exist frequently use titles like marshal, chancellor or minister which in other countries are now only used by the civil administration or the military. A Hofmarschall always belonged to the nobility or was a retired high-ranking military officers of Major General
rank or above.
A Hofmarschall's duties included organizing the king and the queen's receptions, foreign trips and state visits and supervising the royal household. He organized the whole court household, maintenance of the royal castles, and the provision of food and drink for the princely table, kitchens and wine-cellars. In larger courts the office of Hofmarschall were headed by an Oberhofmarschall, who was usually supported by a Hofmarschall and a Hausmarschall.
In Germany there was a Hofmarschall of the former House of Hohenzollern
right up to 1945, as the uppermost official of the domestic ministry — he was based in the Dutch Palais (Niederländisches Palais) on the boulevard Unter den Linden
in Berlin and administered the fortune of the Prussian royal household.
In Denmark ("Hofmarskal"), Sweden ("Hovmarskalk"), Norway ("Hoffmarskalk") and in Luxembourg ("Maréchal de la Cour"), the rank of Hofmarschall still exists.
Historically, every civil service was regarded as court service (eg the Russian nobility is even now called the "Dworjanstwo", i.e. courtiers), though today high officials in the royal courts that still exist frequently use titles like marshal, chancellor or minister which in other countries are now only used by the civil administration or the military. A Hofmarschall always belonged to the nobility or was a retired high-ranking military officers of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
rank or above.
A Hofmarschall's duties included organizing the king and the queen's receptions, foreign trips and state visits and supervising the royal household. He organized the whole court household, maintenance of the royal castles, and the provision of food and drink for the princely table, kitchens and wine-cellars. In larger courts the office of Hofmarschall were headed by an Oberhofmarschall, who was usually supported by a Hofmarschall and a Hausmarschall.
In Germany there was a Hofmarschall of the former House of Hohenzollern
House of Hohenzollern
The House of Hohenzollern is a noble family and royal dynasty of electors, kings and emperors of Prussia, Germany and Romania. It originated in the area around the town of Hechingen in Swabia during the 11th century. They took their name from their ancestral home, the Burg Hohenzollern castle near...
right up to 1945, as the uppermost official of the domestic ministry — he was based in the Dutch Palais (Niederländisches Palais) on the boulevard Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden is a boulevard in the Mitte district of Berlin, the capital of Germany. It is named for its linden trees that line the grassed pedestrian mall between two carriageways....
in Berlin and administered the fortune of the Prussian royal household.
In Denmark ("Hofmarskal"), Sweden ("Hovmarskalk"), Norway ("Hoffmarskalk") and in Luxembourg ("Maréchal de la Cour"), the rank of Hofmarschall still exists.