EXHIBIT 23.1


The Board of Directors
Markel Corporation:

We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus. Our reports
refer to the Company's adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
No.  115,  ACCOUNTING  FOR  CERTAIN  INVESTMENTS  IN DEBT AND EQUITY  SECURITIES
efffective December 31, 1993.


                                        /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK, LLP

Richmond, Virginia
February 10, 1997