Exhibit 23.1

                       Consent of Independent Accountants

The Board of Directors
Markel Corporation:

We consent to the use of our report dated February 1, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheets of Markel Corporation and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of
operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders' equity, and
cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
2001, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under
the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Richmond, Virginia
April 12, 2002