The Inquisition (Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis; Inquiry on Heretical Perversity), was a group of decentralized institutions within the justice system of the Roman Catholic Church whose aim was to "fight against heretics". It started in 12th-century France to persecute heresy, and was later expanded to other European countries. Inquisition practices were used also on offences against canon law other than heresy.
Read more about Inquisition: Definition, Tribunals and Institutions, Use of Torture, Treatment of Women, Grand Inquisitor, Modern Times, Functional Role, Purpose, Movements, Reputation(s), Derivative Works
Famous quotes containing the word inquisition:
“Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but a curious inquisition after, and envy of another man’s enclosed pleasures: and there have been many who refused fairer objects that they might ravish an enclosed woman from her retirement and single possessor.”
—Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667)