Tomás de Torquemada

Tomás de Torquemada (Thomas of Torquemada), O.P.

(1420 – September 16, 1498) is a Spanish Dominican friar and the first Grand Inquisitor in Spain's movement to force Roman Catholicism upon its populace in the late fifteenth century, otherwise known as "The Spanish Inquisition".

The existence of many superficial converts among the Moriscos and Marranos (i.e.

Crypto-Jews), who have found it more socially, politically and economically expedient to join the Catholic fold, is perceived by the Spanish monarchs of this time, principally King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, as a threat to the religious and social life of Spain.

This leads Torquemada to be one of the chief supporters of the Alhambra Decree that expels the Jews from Spain in 1492.

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