Valdés, Fernando de
VALDÉS, FERNANDO DE
Spanish archbishop and inquisitor general; b. Salas, Asturias, 1483; d. Madrid, Dec. 9, 1568. In 1512 he graduated from the Colegio de San Bartolomé de Cuenca in Salamanca, where he later served as professor of canon law. He soon became associated with the Spanish inquisition and was appointed dean of the cathedral of Oviedo. After serving on a mission to Portugal for Charles V he held successively the bishoprics of Huelva (1524), Orense (1529), Oviedo (1533), and Siqüenza (1539). In 1546 he was appointed archbishop of Seville and inquisitor general. He also held the title of president of the Royal Council of the Inquisition. His famous dispute with Bartolomé de carranza, archbishop of Toledo, led to Carranza's arrest and trial on charges of heresy. Valdés was known for supporting marriage between Christians and Muslims. As inquisitor general he diligently promoted the work of the Inquisition. In 1558 a raid under his auspices resulted in the capture of the principal leaders of the Protestant movement. In 1561 he wrote Instructions to the Holy Office, which was published posthumously in 1612. In 1566 he was relieved of his role as inquisitor by Pius V.
Bibliography: m. menÉndez y pelayo, Historia de los heterodoxos españoles, 7 v. (2d ed. Madrid 1911–32) 5:1–73. Enciclopedia de la Religión Católica, ed. r. d. ferreres et al., 7 v. (Barcelona 1950–56) 7:511.
[w. j. steiner]