were anciently notable dignitaries both in church and state, whose business was to look to the preservation of the public weal, to protect the poor and helpless, and to maintain the interests and causes of churches and religious houses. See Protector. The council of Chalcedon, can. 2. calls the defender of a church Eximius Codin, de officio anle Confl. makes mention of defenders of the palace. There were also a defender of the kingdom, defensor regni; defenders of cities, defensores civitatis; defenders of the people, defensores plebis; of the poor, fatherless, widows, &c.

About the year 420, each patriarchal church began to have its defender; which custom was afterwards introduced into other churches, and continued to later days under other names; as those of Advocate and Advocate.

In the year 407, we find the council of Carthage asked the emperor, for defenders, of the number of Scholagifti, i.e. advocates who were in office; and that it might be allowed them to enter and search the cabinets and papers of the judges and other civil magistrates, whenever it should be found necessary for the interest of the church.