CATHOLIC King, is a title which has been long hereditary to the king of Spain. Mariana pretends, that Recaredo first received this title after he had destroyed Arianism in his kingdom, and that it is found in the council of Toledo for the year 589. Vasce ascribes the origin of it to Alphonfus in 738. Some allege that it has been used only since the time of Ferdinand and Isabella. Colombiere says, it was given them on occasion of the expulsion of the Moors. The Bollandists pretend it had been borne by their predecessors the Visigoth kings of Spain; and that Alexander VI. only renewed it to Ferdinand and Isabella. Others say that Philip de Valois first bore the title; which was given him after his death by the ecclesiastics, on account of his favouring their interests.
In some epistles of the ancient popes, the title catholic is given to the kings of France and of Jerusalem, as well as to several patriarchs and primates.