Style of the French sovereign

Most Christian King (French roi très chrétien, Latin Rex Christianissimus ) was an honorary title that was held by the kings of France since the mid-15th century.

An occasional use of the term " christianissimus " can be demonstrated to the Merovingian period; the term was not used but only with Frankish kings, but at various Christian rulers.

Has been used regularly for the first time the title of Charles VII ( king since 1422 ), which made him to be confirmed by Pope and Emperor as hereditary. His son and successor, Louis XI. ( King since 1461 ) bore the title then as the first ruler with the approval of the Popes Pius II and Paul II as part of his official titulary. The title remained until the end of the Ancien Régime (as well as during the Restoration ) part of the French royal title.

The titling as " allerchristlichst " refers to Clovis I, the founder of the Frankish Empire, as this is known as the first Germanic ruler to Catholicism. France, so that after the Roman Empire, the first Catholic state, therefore, also contributes traditionally the honorary title of " eldest daughter of the Catholic Church."

Comparable items are Catholic king (Spain since 1494, and later other empires ), Apostolic King ( Hungary) and Allergläubigster King (Portugal). The aim of such contracts awarded by the honorary title of Pope was the formal rank increase in the own kingship.