The Inquisition

A special tribunal established by the medieval church for the purpose of combating heresy. In the [[Middle Ages]] the growing threat of heretical groups, particularly the Cathari,* led to the acceptance by the church of the use of the secular authority, of physical penalties, and of an inquisitorial method as means for their suppression. [[Alexander III]]* at the Council of Tours (1163) urged secular princes to prosecute heretics, to imprison them, and to confiscate their property. He also directed the bishops to search out heretics, encouraging them to replace the older method of trial by accusation, which depended upon the initiative of an accuser, with the more vigorous and effective method of inquest in which the judge took the initiative.