a title of honour, next in dignity to that of duke. His office is to guard the frontiers and limits of the kingdom, which were called the marche, from the Teutonic word marche, a "limit;" as, in particular, were the marches of Wales and Scotland while they continued hostile to England. The persons who had command there, were called lords marchers, or marquesses; whose authority was abolished by statute 27 Hen. VIII. c. 27. though the title had long before been made a mere design of honour, Robert Vere, earl of Oxford, being created marquis of Dublin by Richard II. in the eighth year of his reign. A marquis is created by patent; his mantle is double ermine, three doublings and a half; his title is most honourable; and his coronet has pearls and strawberry leaves intermixed round, of equal height.