E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mother.
Mother and Head of all Churches. So is St. John Lateran of Rome called. It occupies the site of the splendid palace of Plantius Latera’nus, which escheated to the Crown from treason, and was given to the Church by the Emperor Constantine. From the balcony of this church the Pope blesses the people of the whole world.
