Definition of Defender of the Faith in US English:

noun

• A title conferred on Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in 1521. It was recognized by Parliament as an official title of the English monarch in 1544, and has been borne by all subsequent sovereigns.

  Example sentences

  • ‘The prince will one day become the supreme governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith.’
  • ‘He is the spiritual head, Defender of the Faith of the Church of England.’
  • ‘For instance the ceremony surrounding the opening of parliament involves the Defender of the Faith but does that really influence the democracy itself?’
  • ‘What France didn't have was a Defender of the Faith; it didn't have a Henry.’
  • ‘The king continued to have only one title everywhere - ‘of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India’.’