[1020] “Rex Johannes habuit quendam servum probum et audacem,” R. Coggeshall, _l.c._ [1021] _Hist. Ducs_ and M. Paris, _ll.cc._ [1022] R. Coggeshall, _l.c._ Unluckily this tale, which sounds so characteristic of its hero, rests on unknown authority, being an interpolation in Ralf’s text, and we have no means of judging whether it is derived from contemporary report, or is merely the invention of some imaginative etymologist. The French form of the name is Falkes, Faukes, or Fauques, variously Latinized as Falkesius or Falcasius, sometimes as Falco. It seems to have been a variant of Fulk, Fouques, Fulco, and more probably connected with _falco_ than with _falx_. [1023] M. Paris, _Hist. Angl._, _l.c._ Cf. _Chron. Lanercost_, a. 1224: “Faukes re et nomine.” [1024] “Chil Foukes ot este povres sergans au roi; fius fu a un chevalier de Normendie, de soignant; mais puis siervi il tant le roi et tant cru ses afaires que il fu puis uns des riches homes d’Engletiere; petis fu de cors, mais moult fu vaillans.” _Hist. Ducs_, _l.c._ [1025] “Pro meritis a patria sua fugitivus,” says Matthew Paris of Falkes (_Hist. Angl._, vol. iii. p. 226). The word _meritis_, though used sarcastically, may be true literally; the “merit” may have been that of loyalty. [1026] “Regis aedituus et minister, ipsi in clientela militans,” _ib._ vol. ii. p. 131. [1027] Cf. the case of Peter de Maulay, above, footnote 371. [1028] _Pat. Rolls Joh._, p. 68 b. [1029] “Faukes serviens domini regis,” _l.c._ [1030] “Rex Johannes ... in militem sublimavit.” W. Cov., vol. ii. p. 253. [1031] He was ordered to deliver them to a new constable, the Earl Marshal, in January, 1214; _Pat. Rolls Joh._, p. 109 b. [1032] See _ib._ pp. 100–199 b _passim_, and _Close Rolls_, vol. i. pp. 119 b, 120 b, 122. [1033] See above, footnote 1024. [1034] “Virga furoris Domini,” M. Paris, _Hist. Angl._, vol. ii. p. 131. [1035] R. Wend., vol. iv. p. 19; R. Coggeshall, p. 205; W. Cov., vol. ii. p. 253. [1036] See above, footnote 1031. [1037] “Senescallus regis,” _Close Rolls_, vol. i. pp. 190, 191 b, 192 b, March, 1215. This office was shared among several persons; another _senescallus regis_ at this time was William de Cantelupe (_ib._ p. 192), who had held the office for many years. Falkes seems to have been also a seneschal or steward of the household of Henry III; see _Close Rolls_, vol. i. pp. 350, 350 b, and _Roy. Lett._, vol. i. p. 226, where Henry in June or July, 1224, speaks of “officii maximi quod habuit [Falcatius] in curia nostra.” [1038] _Close Rolls_, vol. i. p. 214, &c.