A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 2

This volume offers a thorough examination of the Spanish Inquisition’s legal foundations, beginning with how the institution defined and pursued heresy. It explores the delicate balance between ecclesiastical and civil authority, detailing the ways the Inquisition claimed exclusive jurisdiction while navigating the limits imposed by bishops and regular clergy. Readers will gain insight into the early mechanisms that shaped inquisitorial power and the doctrinal arguments that underpinned its actions.

The book then turns to the complex interplay between Spanish rulers, the papacy, and the inquisitorial courts, tracing disputes over appeals, pardons, and the authority of the Supreme Council. Detailed case studies illustrate how high‑ranking officials and even archbishops became entangled in these legal battles, while the later chapters map the institutional evolution that centralized the Inquisition’s operations. Throughout, the narrative remains grounded in original documents, making the intricate history of law, faith, and politics both clear and compelling for listeners interested in the era’s religious institutions.