Final answer:
Henry VIII earned the title "Defender of the Faith" for his initial support of Catholicism but broke with the Roman Catholic Church over his desire for a divorce to sire a male heir. He established the Church of England, making himself the head, leading to significant religious and political changes during his reign.
Step-by-step explanation:
The title "Defender of the Faith" famously refers to Henry VIII, who broke with the Roman Catholic Church primarily over issues of divorce. Initially a devout Catholic opposed to the Protestant Reformation, Henry was awarded the title by Pope Leo X for his support of Catholicism. However, his desire for a male heir and the inability of his wife, Catherine of Aragon, to provide one led to his request for an annulment. Upon the Pope's refusal, Henry established the Church of England, appointing himself as its head, allowing him to annul his marriage to Catherine and marry Anne Boleyn. This act was among the pivotal moments that significantly influenced the Protestant Reformation in England.
Henry's securement of an annulment and subsequent remarriage was made possible through legislation, such as the Act in Restraint of Appeals and the Act of Submission of the Clergy, positioning the king as the spiritual leader of England. While doctrinal changes within the new Anglican Church were initially minimal, the monarchy's dissolution of monasteries and confiscation of their wealth marked a dramatic shift from traditional Catholic practices and fortification of royal coffers.
Henry's reign thus witnessed the entwining of religious and political power, reshaping the religious landscape of England and setting the stage for further Protestant advancement, notably differing from Roman Catholic doctrines on matters of faith, salvation, and clerical life.