The Spanish Inquisition was started in 1480 by Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon and was initially started to ensure the sincerity of the Jewish and Muslim converts to Christianity who were suspected of secretly practicing their prior religions. It was not the first Inquisition, in fact, it was meant to replace the Medieval Inquisition, which was under Papal control. The medieval Inquisition was introduced by Pope Gregory IX in 1231 as a means find and get rid of heresy, specifically the Albigensian heresy, which had become a major threat to the Church. Pope Gregory IX, by issuing a Papal Bull setting up a court system to try and punish heretics, was attempting to bring order and legality to dealing with heresy. But if one
…show more content…
They were to have degrees in theology and canon law. The judges could only intercede with Christians. Non-Christian Jews and Muslims were dealt with by civil authorities. In 1480 Ferdinand and Isabella appointed the two Dominicans Miguel de Morillo and Jaun de San Martin as inquisitors in Seville, with two secular clergy as assistants. In 1487 Fray Thomas Torquemada was nominared by the king and confirmed by the pope as the grand inquisitor, the person at the head of the inquisition. By his papal credentials, he had the authority to commission his powers to other suitable persons and to receive appeals from all Spanish courts. The grand inquisitor was aided by a High Council called the Consejo Supremo, consisting of five members. These five members were the Apostolic inquisitors, two secretaries, two relators, and one advocatus fiscalis. There were also several consulters and qualificators. The officials of the supreme tribunal were appointed by the grand inquisitor after consultation with the king. The grand inquisitor could also freely appoint, transfer, remove from office, visit, and inspect or call to account all inquisitors and officials of the lower courts. On December 16, 1618, Philip III gave the Dominicans the benefit of having one of their order permanently a member of the Consejo Supremo. All power was concentrated in this supreme tribunal, which
They were to have degrees in theology and canon law. The judges could only intercede with Christians. Non-Christian Jews and Muslims were dealt with by civil authorities. In 1480 Ferdinand and Isabella appointed the two Dominicans Miguel de Morillo and Jaun de San Martin as inquisitors in Seville, with two secular clergy as assistants. In 1487 Fray Thomas Torquemada was nominared by the king and confirmed by the pope as the grand inquisitor, the person at the head of the inquisition. By his papal credentials, he had the authority to commission his powers to other suitable persons and to receive appeals from all Spanish courts. The grand inquisitor was aided by a High Council called the Consejo Supremo, consisting of five members. These five members were the Apostolic inquisitors, two secretaries, two relators, and one advocatus fiscalis. There were also several consulters and qualificators. The officials of the supreme tribunal were appointed by the grand inquisitor after consultation with the king. The grand inquisitor could also freely appoint, transfer, remove from office, visit, and inspect or call to account all inquisitors and officials of the lower courts. On December 16, 1618, Philip III gave the Dominicans the benefit of having one of their order permanently a member of the Consejo Supremo. All power was concentrated in this supreme tribunal, which