E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Corvi’nus [a raven].
Ja’nos Hun’yady, Governor of Hungary, is so called from the raven on his shield.
1
There were two Romans so called—viz. Vale’rius Max’imus Corvi’nus Messa’la, and Vale’rius Messa’la Corvi’nus.
2
Marcus Vale’rius was so called because, in a single combat with a gigantic Gaul during the Gallic war, a raven flew into the Gaul’s face and so harassed him that he could neither defend himself nor attack his adversary.
