ESPINOSA, DIEGO de. - Cardinal, b. in 1502 at Martín-Muñoz de las Posadas (Segovia) to a noble but poor family, d. at Madrid on 5 Sept. 1572. The reputation as an excellent jurist which he acquired while still very young, teaching at the University of Salamanca, opened the way for him to the highest political offices through the favour of Filippo II.
He was first regent and then president of the Royal Council of Castile and of the Council of State, superintendent for Italian affairs, bishop of Siqueira (1558), inquisitor general of Spain, and cardinal (1568). Hated by don Carlos and by the nobility, whom he always treated with arrogance, he eventually also fell into the king’s disfavour. He is generally censured for the excessive zeal he displayed as inquisitor, but praised for his great ability, disinterestedness, and love of justice.
ESPINOSA, DIEGO DE
BIBL.: See in general the histories of Filippo II and especially that by his contemporary L. Cabrera de Córdoba, Felipe II, a voll., Madrid 1876-77 (v. indice); anon., s. V. in Biografia elevistica. V. pp. 585-89; Pastor, VIII, pp. 107-108 and passim; F. Baudel, La Méditerranée et le monde méditerranéen à l'époque de Philippe II. Parigi 1949 (v. indice). Renata Orazi Autenda
Cite this article
“ESPINOSA, DIEGO DE.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. V (1950), p. 381. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/espinosa-diego-de.