Alonso de Salazar Frías

Alonso de Salazar y Frías

Alonso de Salazar Frías
Born	1564 Burgos, Spain
Died	1636 Madrid, Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Occupation	Inquisitor

Alonso de Salazar Frías (1564–1636) was a notable Spanish inquisitor and jurist during the early 17th century. He is best known for his role in the Basque witch trials of 1609–1614, where he played a significant part in changing the approach of the Spanish Inquisition towards accusations of witchcraft.

Early Life

Alonso de Salazar Frías was born in 1564 in Burgos, Spain. Little is known about his early life and education, but he eventually became a member of the Spanish Inquisition, an institution established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

Basque Witch Trials

The Basque witch trials were a series of witchcraft trials that took place in the Basque Country between 1609 and 1614. These trials were among the largest and most significant in the history of the Spanish Inquisition. Salazar Frías was appointed as one of the inquisitors to investigate the accusations of witchcraft in the region. Salazar Frías is particularly remembered for his skeptical approach to the witchcraft accusations. Unlike his colleagues, he questioned the validity of the evidence and the methods used to extract confessions from the accused. His detailed reports and investigations led to a more rational and less superstitious approach to dealing with accusations of witchcraft.

Impact and Legacy

Salazar Frías's work had a lasting impact on the Spanish Inquisition and the treatment of witchcraft cases. His insistence on proper evidence and his skepticism towards confessions obtained under torture contributed to a significant decline in the number of witchcraft trials and executions in Spain. His legacy is often seen as a turning point in the history of the Spanish Inquisition, marking a move towards a more evidence-based and less superstitious judicial process. Salazar Frías's reports and writings continue to be studied by historians and scholars interested in the history of the Inquisition and the phenomenon of witchcraft in Europe.

Death

Alonso de Salazar Frías died in 1636 in Madrid, Spain.

See Also

• Spanish Inquisition
• Witch trials in the early modern period
• Basque Country (autonomous community)
• Witchcraft