Hofmarschall

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The Hofmarschall was the administrative official in charge of a princely German court, supervising all its economic affairs. He ranked above a Hofmarschallamt.

Historically, every civil service was backed by a court service (eg the Russian nobility is even now called the "Dworjanstwo", ie courtiers), though today high officials in the royal courts that still exist yards frequently use titles like marshal, chancellor or minister which in other countries are now only used by the civil administration or the military. Hofmarschalls always belonged to the nobility or were 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 Hofmarschallamts were headed by an Oberhofmarschall, who was usually supported by a Hofmarschall and Hausmarschall.

In Germany there was a hofmarschall of the former Hohenzollern court right up to 1945, as the uppermost official of the Hausministeriums - he was based in the Niederländischen Palais on Unter den Linden in Berlin and administered the fortune of the Prussian royal household.

In Sweden ("Hovmarskalksämbete") and in Luxembourg ("Maréchal de la Cour"), the rank of hofmarschallsamt still exists.