Marshal of France
The rank of Marshal of France, French Maréchal de France, was originally the military representative office of Constable ( Constable ) of the king of France.
First Marshal of France was Alberic Clément, for him the office in 1190 by Philip II was created. After the rank of Marshal of France during the Revolution in 1793 had been abolished, Napoleon led him on the day after the proclamation of the Empire, on 19 May 1804 again and appointed on the same day 18 Divisionsgeneräle to marshals of the Empire ( Maréchaux d' Empire ) - four of them to honor Marshall because they were already retired: Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon and Sérurier. In total, including subsequent appointments, Napoleon promoted 26 generals to marshals. Besides these, there were two consecutive Großmarschälle of the palace: Geraud -Christophe- Michel Duroc and Henri -Gratien Bertrand.
The last marshals were promoted for their achievements during the Second World War at this rank. These were
- Philippe de Hauteclocque (1902-1947), called " Leclerc ", posthumously
- Jean -Marie de Lattre de Tassigny (1889-1952), posthumously
- Alphonse Juin (1888-1967)
- Marie- Pierre Koenig (1898-1970), posthumously in 1984
While French army generals still carry five stars, the military governors of Paris contributed six stars and the marshals seven stars on their collars, shoulders, front of the Kepi and on the marshal's baton.
Not French marshals
Among the few foreigners who have ever obtained the French Marshal dignity, were six German:
- Josias Rantzau
- Moritz of Saxony, " Maréchal de Saxe"
- Ulrich Graf von Löwendal
- Nikolaus Graf Luckner
- Ludwig Aloysius Prince of Hohenlohe- Waldenburg - Bartenstein
The Austrian General Karl Philipp Fürst zu Schwarzenberg refused the offered him by Napoleon dignity of a French Marshal from among a reference to possible conflicts of loyalty.
The last Józef Antoni Poniatowski foreigner was appointed on 16 October 1813 Marshal.