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 of an excellent jurist that he had acquired at a very young age, while teaching at the University of Salamanca, opened the way for him to the highest political offices thanks to the favor of Philip II.

He was first regent, 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 haughtiness, he finally fell even into the king's disfavor. He is generally censured for the excessive zeal he displayed as inquisitor, but praised for his great ability, disinterestedness and love of justice.

Bibliography4 works

BIBL.: V. in general the histories of Philip II and especially that of his contemporary L. Cabrera de Córdoba, Felipe II, 2 vols., Madrid 1876-77 (v. index); anonymous, 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. Paris 1949 (v. index).

Renata Orazi Autenda

@incollection{ec5_espinosa_diego_de, author = {Orazi, Ausenda Renata}, title = {Espinosa, diego de}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {V}, pages = {609}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1950}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/espinosa-diego-de} }

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Espinosa, Diego de

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