Martin Luther (1483–1546) was the German monk and theologian whose ideas shaped the Protestant Reformation. One of his many pronouncements was that there were only two sacraments (the solemn rites considered to have been instituted by Christ to confer grace) rather than the traditional seven. Henry VIII’s assertion of the seven sacraments (Defence of the Seven Sacraments against Martin Luther) was published in the summer of 1521. The book provided the impetus for Pope Leo X to award Henry the title Fidei Defensor (Defender of the Faith). In 1543 the title was given by Parliament in perpetuity, and thus forms part of The Queen’s style today. This copy is signed by Henry and was probably one of those he sent to cardinals in Rome.