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Why was Henry VIII considered the 'Defender of Faith'?

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Defender of the faith, Latin Fidei Defensor, a title belonging to the sovereign of England in the same way as Christianissimus (“most Christian”) belonged to the king of France. read more

On 17 October 1521, Pope Leo X declared King Henry VIII the Fidei Defensor or Defender of the Faith. This title was given to honor Henry for his book Defense of the Seven Sacraments which attacked the theology of Martin Luther and was dedicated to Leo. read more

Henry wrote a book called Defense of the Seven Sacraments ,which attacked the theology of Martin Luther and was dedicated to Pope Leo. In recognition of his stalwart service, the Pope granted Henry the title of Defender of the Faith on 11 October 1551. Henry VIII was King of England and had married Catharine of Aragon, his deceased brother’s wife. read more

This title was added to the full royal title of Henry as “Henry the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Defender of the Faith and Lord of Ireland”. After Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church, Pope Paul III excommunicated Henry and rescinded the grant of the title “Defender of the Faith” in 1538 but the English Parliament declared that the title remained valid. read more

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