FALKENBERG, JOHANNES: Dominican, professor of theology at Cracow; d. at Liegnitz (40 m. w.n.w. of Breslau), Silesia, after 1438. In the light of his writings thus far published and what has been published about him, he is noteworthy only on account of the accusation brought against him by the Polish delegation to the Council of Constance. Commissioned by the Teutonic Order, with which Poland was then waging a hot contest for its existence, he had written an impassioned tract against the Polish king, to the effect that as the king had supported infidels in warfare against believers, he was himself to be treated as an unbeliever. After Martin V. had occupied the "orphaned" see of St. Peter, the Polish envoys succeeded by brutal proceedings, in bringing Falkenberg to trial. By the condemnation of Falkenberg, which was pronounced secretly as early as May 14, 1418, the pope secured, in Jan., 1424, the Polish support against a new council. Falkenberg was then set free, and after still plying his envenomed pen against the Teutonic Order, which had not rewarded him to his satisfaction, he is supposed to have died on the way home.

B. BESS.