House Marshall (Halian Civil War)

House Marshall 'is a noble house of the local nobility, holding the minor title of baronet''. The family received their title and surname six generations ago, during the Hartland Uprising.'''

Previously vassals to House Keriell, the Marshalls received their title of baronet two generations ago when they were released from their vow of fealty to Lord Girard Keriell. They are currently vassals to Baron Harlan Griffith of Penrith.

Yeomanry to Knighthood
Six generations ago, Halicourt was ruled by King Edward III of Aylesbury; the monarch was a good man, but easily swayed and not much of a ruler. During his reign, the High House of Hartland plotted to overthrow the king and install their own, Arl Bryant of Hartland, onto the throne.

This plan was discovered by a spy in the employ of Baron Leland Griffith of Penrith, a staunch supporter of the crown and a known favorite, who quickly sent a messenger to Aylesbury. The king replied with promises of land, but no assurances of title or royal aid. The Keriells, a family owning land rivaling that of the Griffiths, seized the opportunity to depose the Hartlands in hope of being elevated to a barony. Lord Gallien Keriell installed yeoman Elliott of Whiteford as marshal of the Keriell Carrant's light horsemen.

In an early battle of the war, the combined forces of Keriell, Penrith, and many minor lords were put to rout by the Carrant of Hartland. With just over half of his horsemen remaining, Elliott led his contingent in a countercharge, falling upon the Hartlanders who had broken lines to chase the coalition. The action led to the preservation of half the assembled allied army. Although the entire Keriell light horse was lost in the delaying movement, Lord Gallien Keriell bestowed upon the surviving members of the Whiteford family a noble title, and granting them the surname Marshall; promising the Marshall heir a squiredom and the prospect of a betrothal should he prove able. In an agreement with Lord Keriell, Baron Penrith would grant a Hartland fief to the newly ennobled Marshall family.