Papal Inquisition in Spain

The Spanish Inquisition typically refers to the state-church institution established by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile in 1480. However, inquisitorial tribunals operated on the Iberian Peninsula long before this date. Like most Catholic European countries, Spanish kingdoms were subject to the medieval papal Inquisition, with several bishops also conducting inquisitorial activities. The Inquisition's activities were largely confined to the Crown of Aragon, while in Castile and Portugal, it was virtually unknown.