Grand Inquisitor (
Latin: Inquisitor Generalis, literally Inquisitor General or General Inquisitor) was the lead official of the
Inquisition. The title usually refers to the chief
inquisitor of the
Spanish Inquisition, even after the reunification of the inquisitions. Secretaries-general of the
Roman Inquisition were often styled as Grand Inquisitor but the role and functions were different.
The
Portuguese Inquisition was headed by a Grand Inquisitor, or General Inquisitor, named by the
Pope but selected by the king, always from within the royal family.
The most famous Inquisitor General was the Spanish
DominicanTomás de Torquemada, who spearheaded the Spanish Inquisition.
D. Sebastião César de Meneses (1663–1668). Appointed by King
Afonso VI of Portugal, but not confirmed by
Pope Alexander VII due to the lack of recognition of the new Portuguese State by the
Holy See.
Grand Inquisitor (
Latin: Inquisitor Generalis, literally Inquisitor General or General Inquisitor) was the lead official of the
Inquisition. The title usually refers to the chief
inquisitor of the
Spanish Inquisition, even after the reunification of the inquisitions. Secretaries-general of the
Roman Inquisition were often styled as Grand Inquisitor but the role and functions were different.
The
Portuguese Inquisition was headed by a Grand Inquisitor, or General Inquisitor, named by the
Pope but selected by the king, always from within the royal family.
The most famous Inquisitor General was the Spanish
DominicanTomás de Torquemada, who spearheaded the Spanish Inquisition.
D. Sebastião César de Meneses (1663–1668). Appointed by King
Afonso VI of Portugal, but not confirmed by
Pope Alexander VII due to the lack of recognition of the new Portuguese State by the
Holy See.