Defender of the Faith

500 years ago today on 11th October 1521, Pope Leo X granted the title “Defender of the Faith” to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland.

Pope Leo X

It recognised the King’s defence of the sacrament of marriage, the supremacy of the Pope, and his opposition to the Protestant Reformation and the ideas of Martin Luther.

It was conferred in recognition of Henry’s book ‘Defense of the Seven Sacraments’ The title was also used by his wife (at the time), Catherine of Aragon. 

Henry VIII

After Henry decided to break with Rome 9 years later and declare himself the head of the Church of England, the title was revoked by Pope Paul III and Henry was excommunicated (Pope Leo X died of pneumonia aged 45 in December 1521.

However in 1543 the English Parliament conferred the title on Henry VIII and his successors.

The title has been inherited by all English and British monarchs since then.