In 1483, Tomas de Torquemada was promoted by the Spanish Catholic church to the new office of Grand High Inquisitor of the Inquisition. The Inquisition was created by the church with the intent of uncovering and converting 'heretics' (non-Catholics) by subjecting them to horrific torture if they refused to convert. Torquemada was so zealous in his efforts as High Inquisitor that even other Catholics grew to despise him.