Exhibit 5





                               June 30, 1995




Markel Corporation
4551 Cox Road
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060

Gentlemen:

     We are acting as counsel for Markel Corporation (the "Company") in
connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on or about June 30, 1995 with respect to the
offering of up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") pursuant to the Markel Corporation Employee
Stock Purchase and Bonus Plan (the "Plan").  We understand that the shares
of Common Stock to be offered pursuant to the Plan may be acquired directly
from the Company (the "Original Issue Common Stock") or in the open market.

     We have reviewed such documents and records as we have considered
appropriate and, on the basis of such review, we are of the opinion that
the shares of Original Issue Common Stock to be offered pursuant to the
Plan have been validly authorized and, when issued upon the terms set forth
in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully-paid and
nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                              Very truly yours,

                              MCGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE, L.L.P.