Newcastle-on-Tyne, Dec. 1850.
P.S. Since writing the above, I have found (in the nineteenth volume of
_Archæologia_, pp. 1-10.) an essay by Mr. Alex. Luders on this very
subject, in which that able writer, who was well accustomed to examine
historical records, refers to many examples in which the title "Most
Christian King" was attributed to, or used by English sovereigns, as well
as the kings of France; and to the fact, that this style was used by Henry
VII., as appears from his contract with the Abbot of Westminster (Harl. MS.
1498.). Selden tells us that the emperors had from early times been styled
"Defensores Ecclesiæ;" and from the instances cited by Mr. Luders, it
appears that the title of "Most Christian" was appropriated to kings of
France from a very ancient period; that Pepin received it (A.D. 755) from
the Pope, and Charles the Bald (A.D. 859) from a Council: and Charles VI.
refers to ancient usage for this title, and makes use of these words:
"--nostrorum progenitorum imitatione--evangelicæ
veritatis--DEFENSORES--nostra regia dignitas divino Christianæ
religionis titulo gloriosius insignitur--."
Mr. Luders refers to the use of the words "Nos zelo _fidei catholicæ_,
cujus sumus et erimus Deo dante _Defensores_, salubriter commoti" in the
charter of Richard II. to the Chancellor of Oxford, in the nineteenth year
of his reign, as the earliest introduction of such phrases into acts of the
kings of England that he had met with. This zeal was for the condemnation
of Wycliff's _Trialogus_. In the reign of Hen. IV. the writ "De Hæretico
comburendo" had the words "Zelator justitia et fidei catholicæ cultor;" and
the title of "Très Chrêtien" occurs in several instruments of Hen. VI. and
Edw. IV. It appears very probable that this usage was the foundation of the
statement made by Chamberlayne and by Mr. Christopher Wren: but that the
title of Defender of the Faith was used as part of the royal style before
1521, is, I believe, quite untrue.