Baltasar de Mendoza y Sandoval facts for kids
Baltasar de Mendoza y Sandoval (1653–1727) was an important Spanish bishop. He also led the Spanish Inquisition, a powerful religious court, from 1699 to 1704.
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Life of Baltasar de Mendoza y Sandoval
Baltasar de Mendoza y Sandoval was born in Madrid, Spain, in 1653. When he was 20 years old, in 1673, he became a chaplain at the Colegio de San Bartolomé at the University of Salamanca. A chaplain is like a priest who serves a specific institution.
Early Career and Royal Appointments
In 1679, he became an oidor in Granada. An oidor was a judge in a high court in Spain. Two years later, in 1681, Charles II of Spain, who was the king at the time, gave him a special honor. He awarded Mendoza the Order of Calatrava, which was a famous military and religious order. The king also appointed him to the Consejo de Órdenes, which was a royal council that managed these orders.
Becoming a Bishop and Grand Inquisitor
Mendoza became the Bishop of Segovia in 1699. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Christian church. At the same time, he was also made the Grand Inquisitor of Spain. The Grand Inquisitor was the head of the Spanish Inquisition, a very powerful religious court that made sure people followed the rules of the Catholic Church.
After King Charles II died in November 1700, Mendoza was part of a group that helped govern Spain. In 1701, the new king, Philip V of Spain, removed him from the Grand Inquisitor role. However, because of disagreements between Madrid and the Holy See (the Pope's government in Rome), and because King Philip V was away fighting in the War of the Spanish Succession, Mendoza continued to hold the position until 1704.
Later Life and Exile
In 1706, during the war, Mendoza was accused of supporting the Austrian side instead of the Spanish king. This was seen as a serious offense. He had to leave Spain and went to live in Avignon, a city in France. He stayed there until 1713. That year, he was allowed to return to Spain and continue his duties as the Bishop of Segovia. He died in Segovia on November 4, 1727.
