Chap.II p.43

V. The Mareshall was another great Officer of the King’s Court.
This Office was anciently, and is at this Day, hereditary. It is now
vested in the most Noble the Duke of Norfolk. Mareshall, was a
general Name for several Officers that were employed about Horses,
Game, &c. For example: ten Marks were allowed to Hugh the
Mareschall and his Fellows who looked after twenty of the King’s
Palfreys (x). The Sum of Cxxxij l. was allowed at the Exchequer
to John Palmer, for himself and xxj Grooms, and for Hay, Oats,
and Farriery [marescalcia] for fifty Horses of the King’s Stable (y).
Frere Alan a Templar was ordered to buy good Palreys for the
King, and to manage [marescallare] another Palfrey which the King
then sent to him (z). There was also a Marescalcia avium Regis (a);
and in Ireland a Marescalcia mensuræ Regis (b).

***

(x) Et Hugoni Marescallo & sociss suis ducentibus xx Palefridos ad Regem, x marcas, per breve ejusdem H. [i.e. H. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi.] Mag. Rot. 10 R 1. Rot/ 12. a. Lond. & Midd.

(y) Et Johanni Palmerio cum xxj Garcionibus, & proo feno & avena & marescalcia quinquaginta equorum Regis per duos annos, C & xxxij l. & ij s. & x d, per breve Regis. Mag. Rot. 15 I. Rot. 5. b. in Compoto de Tiokesberia.

(z) Mandatum est fratri Alano Templario, quod emat ad opus Regis duos bonos palefridos, & marescallari faciat palefridum quem Rex ei mittit. T R apud Chastilan xxvii die Novembris. Cl. Vascon. 38 & 39. H. 3.

(a) Albreda de Jarpunvill r c de dimidia marca, ut scribatur in Magno Rotulo, quod ipsa coram Baronibus de Scaccario tradidit Radulfo filio Thomæ filij Bernardi, totam terram suam de Adinton, in dominicis, &vilenagijs, & servicijs, & redditibus: Habendam & tenendam prædicto Radulfo tota vita ipsius Albredæ; Salvo jure Aliciæ filiæ fuæ & hæredis sui si illam supervixerit. Ita tamen quod prædictus Radulfus defendet & aquietabit prædictam Albredam & prædictam terram de Adinton, & omnes alias terras quas prædicta Albreda de Domino Rege tenet in Capite, tam in Comitatu de Kent quam in Bukingehamsire, de Marescalcia avium Regis, & de Militia, & de Scutagio, & Taillagio, & de omnibus quæ ad prædictas terras & ad prædictam Albredam pertinent, & etiam de omnibus secularibus servicijs & exactionibus; & quod uterque eorum hæc omnia prædicta fideliter tenenda coram Baronibus affidavit. Mag. Rot. 13. Job. Rot. 1. b. Buk. & Bedf.

(b) —officium Marecscalciæ mensræ Regis in Hibernia. Pat. 10. E 2. m. 8. pars 2.

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Chap.II ps.44-46

It is to be understood, that there were formerly more Mareschalls
than one belonging to the King’s Court. In the 11th Year of K.
Henry II, a Charter made between Robert Abbot of St. Alban and
others of the one part, and Laurence Abbott of Westminster of the
other part, was executed at the Exchequer, before several of the Justices,
and before the King’s Chamberlains and his Mareschalls (c).
In the 14th Year of the same King, William Fitz-Aldelin is styled
Mareschall (d). Which William certified to that King, that of the
Land which the King gave to William Fitz-Aldelin his Mareschall
with Juliana Daughter of Robert Dorsnell, Baldwin Wischard held one
Knight’s Fee of the old Feoffment in Essex, John Gernun, the fourth
Part of a Knight’s Fee, and he himself [William Fitz-Aldelin] held the
Rest in demeane by his Service or Serjeanty of the King’s Marshalcey (e).
At the same Time [Ralf Son of] Wigan the Marshal certified
the King, that Henry I. enfeoffed Wigan his Marshal of certain Fees,
to hold by the Service of his Marshalcey; that K. Henry II. gave
seisin thereof to Ralf his Son, as to his [the King’s] Marshall; and that
he the said Ralf now holds them of the King, by the Service of the
Marshalcey (f). And in the Catalogue of Serjeanties entered in the
Red-Book, and William de Warblington by the Service of the Marshalcey
in the King’s House (g).

***

(c) Affidentibus Jufticijs Regis Nigello Episcopo Heliensi, Galfrido Archidiacono Cantuariensi, Ricardo Archidiacono Pictaviensi, Ricardo Thesaurario Regis, Widone Decano de Waltham, Roberto Comite Legrecestriæ, Ricardo de Luci, Henrico filio Geroldi, Willelmo Malduit Camerarijs Regis, Symone filio Petri, Alano de Novilla, Gaufrido Monacho, Willelmo filio Andel[mi] Marescallis Regis, Philippo de Davencestria. Form. Anglic. in Dissert. p. 19.

(d) Willelmus filius Aldel[ini] Maresc[allus] debet xvj s. & viij d. de eodem Auxilio. Mag. Rot. 14. H. 2. Rot. 12. a. Hantesc.

(e) Carta Willelmi filij Aldelin. De terra quam Dominus Rex dedit Willelmo filio Aldelin Marscallo suo, cum Julianan filia Roberti Dorsnelli: Baldewinus Wiscard tenet de Veteri feframento feodum j Militis in Essex; Johannes Gernun feodum quartæ partis j militis; Willelmus filius Aldelin tenet reliquum in dominio suo per servicium suum, fine aliquo sericio nominato, ficut Marscaucia Regis. Lib. Rub. fol. 86 a.

(f) Carta Wigani Marscalli. H. Rex avus Domini Regis fessavit Wiganum Marscallum suum de tenementis suis quæ de eo tenuit per servicium Marscalciæ fuæ; Et Dominus Rex ita reddidit ei tenenda Radulso filio suo sicut Marscallo suo; Et Radulfus filius Wigani sic tenet ea de Domino Rege per servicium Marscaliciæ fuæ; Et in hijs tenementis, Rogerus de Torlaueston tenet de Radulfo filio Wigani quartam partem j Militis de Novo fessamento post tempus Regis H. Lib. Rub. fol. 100. b.

(g) Suthamptesire. Robertus de Venus [tenet] per servicium Mariscaciæ. Robertus Malduit per Camerariam ad Scaccarium. Willelmus de Warblinton per Marescauciam in Domo Regis. Lib. Rub. fol. 126. a.

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In the 30th Year of K. Henry II, Richard de Limesie was a Marshal.
But perhaps he might be Marshal of Ireland (h). Walter Fitz-Robert
by his Charter gave to the Church of St. Mary at Dunmowe in
Frankalmoigne, all the Oblations of his Chapel there: one of the Witnesses
to that Charter is Robert Porter the King’s Mareschall (i); if Sir
William Dugdale's Copy of this Charter may be relied on. But there
was a Mareschall who was superior to the rest. And that was he, who
held the Magistra Marescalcia or Magistratus Marescalciæ of the King’s
Court, and was styled Magister Marescallus (k). Sir Henry Spelman
writes as if he thought this Office was introduced at the Time of
the Conquest (l). And he names William Fitz-Osbern and the
Grentemaisnels as persons who first bore it in England. Concerning that
matter the Antiquaries may judge as they shall see cause. Afterwards,
it seems, this Office was holden by the Family of the Marescalli. In
the Reign of K. Stephen, John Mareschall fined to the King in xxij l.
& xiij s. & iiij d. for the Ministry or Office of his Father: and in xl
Marks of Silver, for the Magistery [of the Marshal] in the King’s Court (m).
And the Marescalli continued to hold it in the Reigns of KKK.
Henry II, Richard I, and John; and in the forepart of K. Henry the
third's Reign. Afterwards, the male Line of the Marescalli ending,
it vested in the Bigots. There seems to have been some Contest about
this Office between the Families of Venuis and Marescalli. It is certain
that in the fourth Year of K. Richard I, William de Venuis fined
to the King in C l. that he might have (amongst other Things)
the Office of the Marescalcia (n). In the 8th Year of that King,
William made Part-payment of the Fine (o). But K. John by his
Charter dated in the first Year of his Reign, granted and confirmed
to William Mareschall Earl of Pembroc and his Heirs, the Magistratus
Marescalciæ of his Court; which Magistratus or Office, Gilbert the
Mareschall of K. Henry I, and John Son of the said Gilbert did recover
before K. Henry I. in his Court, against Robert de Venoiz and
William de Hasting who claimed the same, by Judgment given against
them by Default. Wherefore K. John by that Charter willed and
commanded, that the said William Mareschall and his Heirs should
hold the said Magistratus or Office with the Appurtenances, of the
King and his Heirs (p). Nevertheless, the Family of Venuz long after
held of the King a Serjeanty in Hamshire, by which they were to
carry a Marshal's Staff in the King’s House throughout the Year.
Which Serjeanty in the 34th Year of K. Henry III, was arrented at
C s. a Year, and changed into Knight’s Service (q).

***

(h) Et pro j navi, ad transfretandum Ric[aidum] de Limes[ia] Maresc[allum] in Hyberniam in servitio Regis, xlvj s. & viij d, per breve Regis. Mag. Rot. 30 H. 2. Rot. 2. b. tit. Cestrescira.

(i) Universis S. Matris Ecclesiæ, &c. Walterus filius Roberti salutem. Sciatis me dedifte, &c. Deo & Ecclesiæ S. Mariæ apud Dunmowe & Canonicis ibidem Deo servientibus de me Á hæredibus meis in perpetuam elemosinam, omnes obliationes Capellæ me æ de Natali & Pascha & Pentecoste, & in omnibus festis S. Mariæ, & quotiescunq; ego vel familia mea in villa de Dunmawe fuerimus. Hijs testibus, Mat. de Bohun uxore mea, Roberto Porter Mareschaldo Domini Regis, Simone filio meo, Waltero filio meo, Toma filio meo, Roberto de Cokef [eld,] &c. ex Collectan. MSS. Will. Dugd. Mil. in Libro L. in Mus. Ashm. Oxon. fol. 79, b. [Qui desumpsit ex autogr.]

(k) Vid. the Constitutio Domus Regiæ, cited above, Sect. 4.

(l) Gloss. in voce, Marescallus, p. 402. col. 1.

(m) Johannes Marisc[allus] debet xxii l. & xiij s. & iiij d, pro Terra & Ministerio Patris sui; Et idem debet xl marcas argenti, pro Magisterio in Curia Regis de Liberat[ione] Præbendæ; Et xxx marcus argenti, pro terra & filia Walteri Pipardi. Mag. Rot. 5 Steph. Rot. 2. a. Wiltescira.

(n) Willelmus de Venuiz debet C libras, pro habenda foresteria de Alsiesholt, & recto de Draicote versus Walterum de Sancto Germano; & pro habenda Marescalcia de Domino Rege. Mag. Rot. 4. R 1. Rot. 11. a. Sudhantescira.

(o) Willelmus de Venuis r c de xxxvj l. & iij s. & iiij d, pro habenda foresteria de Alsieshot, & Recto de Draicote versus Walterum de Sancto Germano; & pro habenda Marescalcia de Rege. In thesauro vj l. & iij s. & iiij d, Et debet xxx l. Mag. Rot. 8. R 1. Rot. 5. a. Suthant.

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Chap.II ps. 46-48 cont.

The Mareschall was styled Marescallus Regis, Marescallus Angliæ, and
Comes Marescallus. Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury was
accused by K. Henry II, for doing Wrong in his (the Archbishop's)
Court to John, the King’s Mareschall (r): Which John held of the
Archbishoprick certain Lands lying in Pageham (s) . K. John, in
the fourth Year of this Reign, in a Writ Patent, calls John Mareschall,
John our Mareschall. We command (saith the Writ) you the
Knights and Serjeants to whom it appertains, that ye be intendant
to J. our Mareschall, and that ye do to him your Service as he
shall direct (t). K. Edward II. ordered the Barons of the
Exchequer to certify him, what Fees and Dues belonged to the Mareschall
of England by reason of his Office of the King’s Mareschalcey (u).
Again, he was sometimes called Marescallus Angliæ W. Earl of
Penbroke is styled Mareschall of England (w): Roger Bigod Earl of
Norfolk is styled Mareschall of England (x): Maud Countess of Norfolk
and Warenne is styled Mareschalless of England (y). He was also
styled Comes Marescallus. In the 14th Year of K. Henry III, the
Barony of Guischard Laidet was in the Custody of William Earl
Mareschall, by the King’s Bailment (z): In the 41st Year of the same
King, Process issued, to summon Reginald de Mohun and Isabell his
Wife one of the Co-heirs of William late Earl Mareschall, to answer
to the King for the Debt hereunder mentioned (a). ’Tis true, a
Distinction hath been made in this Case: that is to say, it is supposed,
the Mareschall hath in him both an Office and and Honour: an Office,
in respect whereof he is Mareschall of England, Marescallus Angliæ;
and an Honour, in respect whereof he is Earl Mareschall,
Comes Marescallus. Concerning this Distinction, the Antiquaries may
enquire, if they please. I am here to speak only of the Office of Mareschall.

***

(p)

(q)

(r) Dixit ei Rex tu prius respondebis mihi de injuria quam fecisti Johanni Marescallo meo in Curia tua. Hoved. P. 2. p. 494. n. 1.

(s) Homines Johannis Marescalli de Pageham debent xl s. de eodem Auxilio [ad maritandam filiam Regis]. Mag. Rot. 18. H. 2. Rot. 10. a. tit. Archiepiscopatus Cantuariæ

(t) Rex, &c. omnibus Militibus & servientibus ad quos, &c. Mandamus vobis, quod sitis intendentes fideli nostro J. Marescallo nostro, & servicium vestrum faciatis, sicut vobis ipse dicet. T. me ipso apud Sagium ix dic Decembris. Pat. 4. F. m. 7.

(u)

(w)

(x)

(y)

(z) Norhamtesira. Burton quæ fuit de Baronia Guischart Ledet est in custodia Willelmi Comitis Marescalli de ballio Demini Regis, ad respondendum de exitibus ejusdem Baroniæ Ricardo fratri ejusdem Marescalli, quamdiu Regi placuerit. Memor. 14. H. 3. Rot. 10. b. in imo.

(a) Mandatum est Vicecomiti Wiltesiæ, quod venire faciat coram, &c. in octabis Purifications B. Mariæ Virginis Reg. de Mohun & Isabellam uxorem ejus unam de hæredibus W. quondam Comitis Marescalli, ad respondendum Regi de CC & xvij l. & x. d. de portione ipsum contingente de CCCC l. annuis quas Rex solvit pro eis. Et eodem modo mandatum est Viccomiti Suffexiæ de Frankone de Boun de CC & xvij l. ij s. xd. ad eundem diem. Hillar. Commua. 41. H. 3. Rot. 7. a. in imo.

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Chap.II p.48 cont.

It is to be remembered, that the Office of the King’s Marshall or
Marshal of England, was wont to be executed partly in the King’s
Army in Time of War, and partly in his Court in Time of Peace.
Here, we consider him only as an Officer of the King's Court. As
such, it seems to have been his Duty, to provide for the Security of
the King's Person in his Place, to distribute the Lodgings there,
to preserve Pease and Order in the King's Household, and to assist in
determining Controversies arising there (*). He performed certain
Acts by himself or his Substitutes at the King's Coronation, at the
Marriages and Interments of the Royal Family, at the creating of
Barons and Knights, and at other great and ceremonious Assemblies in
the King's Court. After the Division of the King's Courts, he used
to appoint a Deputy or Clerk to act for him in the Court holden
before the King, and another in the Exchequer: the former was called
Marescallus Marescaliæ Curiæ Regis, and the latter Marescallus or
Clericus Marescalciæ de Scaccario.

***

(*) Vid. Spelm. Glof. ad voccm, Marescallus.