Marshal
Marshal, a title given to various civil and military officers. Marshal or the corresponding rank of field marshal is or has been the highest military rank in a number of countries, including France, Germany, the former Soviet Union, and Great Britain. (A comparable rank—general of the army—was created by the United States during World War II.) In the British air force, air marshal is a lower-ranking title used for officers equivalent in rank to a lieutenant general.
In the United States, a marshal is the executive officer of a federal judicial district. This type of marshal is authorized to preserve the peace and execute court orders. In some towns the fire and police chiefs are called marshals. The title is also used for a person who directs the ceremonial aspects of a gathering, such as a parade marshal.
The title of marshal was first applied to the keepers of horses for Frankish kings. During the Middle Ages the marshal became chief officer of his ruler's army.