Consent of Independent Auditors




The Board of Directors
Markel Corporation:

We consent to the use of our report  incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.  Our report
refers to the Company's adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards
No. 121,  Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed Of in 1996.


                                                 KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Richmond, Virginia
May 16, 1997