Falkes de Breauté

Who was Falkes de Breauté?

Sir Falkes de Breauté was an Anglo-Norman soldier who earned high office by loyally serving first King John and later King Henry III in First Barons' War. He played a key role in the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. He attempted to rival Hubert de Burgh, and as a result fell from power in 1224. His heraldic device was the griffin.

When he married, his new wife's home in London was then called "Fawkes Hall", which over the years changed into "Foxhall" and finally into "Vauxhall". The Vauxhall car company derived its name from that part of London and still uses de Breauté's griffin as its badge.