E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Eagle.
The spread eagle. A device of the old Roman or Eastern Empire, brought over by the crusaders.
1
Eagle of the doctors of France. Pierre d’Ailly, a French cardinal and great astrologer, who calculated the horoscope of our Lord, and maintained that the stars foretold the great deluge. (1350–1425.)
2
Eagle of Brittany. Bertrand Duguesclin, Constable of France. (1320–1380.)
3
Eagle of Meaux [mo]. Jacques Bénigne Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, the grandest and most sublime of the pulpit orators of France. (1627–1704.)
