Tomás de Torquemada
Tomás de Torquemada (Thomas of Torquemada), O.P. (/ˌtɔrkəˈmɑːdə/ Spanish: [toɾkeˈmaða]; 1420 – September 16, 1498) was a Spanish Dominican friar and the first Grand Inquisitor in Spain's movement to force Christianity upon its populace in the late 15th century.The existence of many superficial converts among the Moriscos and Marranos (i.e. Crypto-Jews), who had found it more socially, politically and economically expedient to join the Christian fold, was perceived by the Spanish monarchs of that time, principally King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, as a threat to the religious and social life of Spain. This led Torquemada, who himself had converso ancestors, to be one of the chief supporters of the Alhambra Decree which expelled the Jews from Spain in 1492.
Personal facts
| Birth date | January 01, 1420 |
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| Date of death | September 16, 1498 |
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