Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2009

The Dan Brown of the 16th Century

Henry VIII was a best-selling author. His book, Defense of the Seven Sacraments, which supported the Catholic Church and attacked Martin Luther, went through twenty editions in Europe. He was also awarded the title of Fidei Defensor ("Defender of the Faith") in 1521 by Pope Leo X for his work. The title is ironic given the king's later excommunication over his marriage to Anne Boleyn and his role in instigating the English Protestant Reformation.