The title
Marshal General of France or more exactly "Marshal General of the King's camps and armies" (
maréchal général des camps et armées du roi) was given to signify that the recipient had authority over all the French armies in the days when a
Marshal governed only one army usually. This dignity was bestowed only on
Marshals of France, usually when the dignity of
Constable of France was unavailable or, after 1626, suppressed.