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-mar-.shal, whose special authority was in the king's palace, to bear 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 ot the king's debtors; (5) the. marshal of the judge of a ize, whose duty was to swear in the grand jury. In Am.erica.n law. An officer pert.aining to the organization of the federal judicial system, whose duties are similar to those of a sheriff'. He is to execute the proce of the United States courts within the district for which he is appointed, etc. Also, in some ot the st.ates, 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 Sherif!'. -Marshal of the queen's bench. An officer who had the custody of the queen's bench [s. 769]