MARSHALLING a COAT, in heraldry, is the disposal of several coats of arms belonging to distinct families in one and the same escutcheon or shield, together with their ornaments, parts, and appurtenances. See HERALDRY, chap. vi. p. 3610.

MARSHALSEA (the Court of), and the Palace-court at Westminster, though two distinct courts, are frequently confounded together. The former was originally holden before the steward and marshal of the king's house, and was instituted to administer justice between the king's domestic servants, that they might not be drawn into other courts, and thereby the king lose their service. It was formerly held in, though not a part of, the aula regis; and, when that was subdivided, remained a distinct jurisdiction: holding plea of all trespasses committed within the verge of the court, where only one of the parties is in the king's domestic service, (in which case the inquest shall be taken by a jury of the country); and of all debts, contracts and covenants, where both of the contracting parties belong to the royal household; and then the inquest shall be composed of men of the household only. By the statute of 13 Ric. II. st. 1.