Legal Definitions - vice-marshal

vice-marshal

A vice-marshal is an official appointed to serve as a deputy or assistant to a marshal, particularly the Earl Marshal of England. In this capacity, the vice-marshal helps to carry out the significant ceremonial, organizational, and heraldic duties associated with the marshal's office.

Here are some examples:

• Example 1: Planning a State Opening of Parliament

  The Earl Marshal is traditionally responsible for the detailed arrangements and protocol of major state events, such as the State Opening of Parliament. To manage the immense complexity, a vice-marshal might be specifically tasked with overseeing the procession of peers, ensuring their correct seating according to rank, and coordinating the various officials involved in the ceremony. This illustrates the vice-marshal directly assisting the Earl Marshal by managing a critical segment of a large-scale ceremonial duty.

• Example 2: Managing Heraldic Records

  The Earl Marshal is the head of the College of Arms, which is responsible for granting new coats of arms, maintaining genealogical records, and regulating heraldry. While the Earl Marshal provides overall direction, a vice-marshal could be appointed to manage the day-to-day operations of a specific department within the College, such as overseeing the registration of new grants or resolving minor disputes over heraldic usage. This demonstrates the vice-marshal supporting the Earl Marshal in the administrative and regulatory aspects of their heraldic responsibilities.

• Example 3: Coordinating a Royal Jubilee Celebration

  For a large national celebration like a Royal Jubilee, the Earl Marshal would have a central role in organizing the various public events, parades, and official receptions. A vice-marshal might be assigned to coordinate the participation of specific military regiments in a parade, ensure the correct display of royal standards and banners along a procession route, or manage the logistics for invited dignitaries at a garden party. This shows the vice-marshal taking on specific organizational tasks to lighten the burden and ensure the smooth execution of the Earl Marshal's broader duties for a significant national event.