Bible Encyclopedias
Defender of the Faith

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Deering

Next Entry
Defense

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Dictionaries
Charles Buck Dictionary
• Defender of the Faith
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Faith, Defender of the
• Defender of the Faith
Encyclopedias
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Defender of the Faith
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Defender of the Faith
The Nuttall Encyclopedia
• Defender of the Faith

(fidei defensor), a title belonging to the sovereign of England, as Catholicus does to the king of Spain, and Christianissimus to the king of France. It was originally conferred by Leo X on Henry VIII for his work against Martin Luther; and the bull for it bears date quinto idus Octob. 1521. It was afterwards confirmed by Clement VII. On Henry's suppression of the monasteries, the pope of Rome deprived him of this title, and deposed him from his throne. The English Parliament (35 Henry VIII, ch. 3) confirmed the title, and it has ever since been used by English monarchs.