Final answer:
Henry VIII of England initially defended the Catholic Church in his publication 'Assertio Septem Sacramentorum' against Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation. However, he ultimately separated from the Church and created the Church of England with himself as its head, notably not in defense but rather as a defiance of the Catholic Church.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to be asking about an essay written by Henry in defense of the Catholic Church, but historical context suggests there might be some confusion. The most notable Henry associated with the Catholic Church is Henry VIII of England, and he is actually famous for breaking away from the Catholic Church, not defending it.
Henry VIII sought an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, but the Pope refused, which led to Henry's separation from the Catholic Church and the formation of the Church of England, with the king as its head. This decision was formalized through the Act in Restraint of Appeals and the Act of Submission of the Clergy, leading to the creation of the Anglican Church.
Before this schism, however, Henry VIII had been a staunch defender of the Catholic faith against Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation, for which Pope Leo X awarded him the title "Defender of the Faith." This defense was articulated in the publication "Assertio Septem Sacramentorum" (Defense of the Seven Sacraments), which argued against Luther’s views and affirmed the Catholic Church's doctrines. This is possibly the essay the question is referring to.