Defender of the Faith

Henry VIII

Defender of the Faith (Latin: Fidei Defensor) is a title belonging to the leader of the Church of England. It was originally conferred upon King Henry VIII of England by Pope Leo X on 11 October 1521 as a reward for the king having written a pamphlet in defense of the sacraments against Martin Luther (Declaration of the Seven Sacraments Against Martin Luther). King James V of Scotland received a similar title from Pope Paul III.^[1]

When Henry broke with the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Paul III took the title away. It was returned to the king by Parliament in 1544. The abbreviation Fid. Def. or the letters F.D. have appeared on British coinage from the time of George I. Defender of the Faith is a title still carried by British monarchs.^[2]

Defender Of The Faith Media

Medal of Queen Mary I with the legend "Maria I Reg. Angl. Franc. et Hib. Fidei Defensatrix"
Church decorations in Vulture Street, South Brisbane for the royal visit, 1954

References

↑ The Catholic Concise Encyclopedia. 1956. Simon & Schuster. pp. 123-24.
↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica

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[1] The Catholic Concise Encyclopedia. 1956. Simon & Schuster. pp. 123-24.

[2] Encyclopaedia Britannica

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