[1] A Marshal was a grand officer of the Empire, entitled to a high-standing position at the court and to the presidency of an electoral college.

Almost all officers to hold the position of Marshal were professional soldiers in the French Army.

[5] One Marshal was present at the Battle of Vitoria, fought in 1813, where the Duke of Wellington earned the British equivalent of the distinction.

[1][7] Auguste de Marmont, born in 1774, was the youngest officer to earn the distinction of Marshal.

[9] The majority of Marshals were given the title in 1804 (18 out of 26), while Grouchy received the distinction at the latest time, in 1815, shortly before the Battle of Waterloo.