Diego Deza

Diego Deza (* 1444 in Toro, † June 9, 1523 ) was a Spanish theologian and inquisitor. He was one of the more important figures of the Spanish Inquisition and the successor to the infamous Tomás de Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor in office.

Early years

Deza occurred at a young age in the Dominican Order. He taught Prince John of Aragon and Castile, the only surviving son of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

Deza it was he who gave Christopher Columbus access to the royal couple.

He served as Bishop of Zamora (1487-1494), Bishop of Salamanca (1494-1498), Bishop of Jaén (1498-1500), Bishop of Palencia ( February 1500-1504 ) and finally in 1505 the Archbishop of Seville.

The Inquisition

On November 24, 1498 SDC was appointed Grand Inquisitor of Castile, León and Granada. On 1 September of the following year its jurisdiction was extended to the whole of Spain.

Like its predecessor, Torquemada, Deza had a strong dislike for converts - Jews or Muslims who have converted to Christianity, but which was often accused of secretly retain their original faith.

He was also accused of over-zealous and excessive cruelty; 1507 the Pope called him publicly for moderation. In a complaint to the Secretary of the King wrote Captain Gonzalo de Ayora (Valencia ): " respect Deza and his lieutenants neither God nor law; they kill, steal and dishonor girls and women to the shame of the Christian religion. "

Decline and death

Deza himself was accused of secretly practicing Judaism - a charge that was based primarily that his mother was of Jewish descent. After King Ferdinand had married again, he looked at SDC as a risk and forced him to resign in 1507.

1517 Diego de Deza founded in Seville, the Colegio de Santo Tomás. He was appointed bishop of Toledo, a position he could not compete due to illness and died in 1523.