Grand Inquisitor (Latin: Inquisitor Generalis, literally Inquisitor General or General Inquisitor) was the highest-ranked official of the Inquisition. The title usually refers to the inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition, in charge of appeals and cases of aristocratic importance, 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.
Juan Pardo de Tavera, Grand Inquisitor of Spain (1539–1545)Fernando Niño de Guevara, Grand Inquisitor of Spain (1600–1602)Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana, Grand Inquisitor of Spain (1794–1797)
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To
Grand Inquisitor
Other positions held
1507
1513
Juan Enguera
Bishop of Vich, Bishop of Lleida, Bishop of Tortosa
D. Fernando Martins Mascarenhas (1615–1628), Bishop of Algarve and Bishop of Faro.
D. Francisco de Castro, (1630–1653), Bishop of Guarda.
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.
D. Pedro de Lencastre (1671–1673), Archbishop of Braga and Duke of Aveiro.
D. Veríssimo de Lencastre (1676–1692), Archbishop of Braga.
D. Frei José de Lencastre (1693–1705), Bishop of Bragança-Miranda and Bishop of Leiria.