Defender of the Faith is one of the titles used by British sovereigns. In 1521, King Henry VIII wrote in defense of the Roman Catholic Church against the German Protestant reformer Martin Luther. As a reward, Pope Leo X gave Henry the title Fidei Defensor (Defender of the Faith), which he had requested. Ironically, Henry later broke with the Roman Catholic Church and became head of the Church of England. In 1544, the title Defender of the Faith was confirmed by Parliament for perpetual use by British sovereigns.