Sixtus V (1521 to 1590): Inquisitor in Venice, pope who had thousands of bandits brought to justice, sold offices and excommunicated Henry of Navarre; he died hated by his subjects

Felice Peretti, born in 1521, became a Franciscan, inquisitor general in Venice, where he quarrelled, and pope in 1585. According to the Britannica, he proceeded against lawlessness in the Papal States with an almost ferocious severity; the Catholic Encyclopedia speaks of often excessive cruelty. He filled the treasury by selling offices and new taxes, excommunicated Henry of Navarre and supported the Armada. He died in 1590, according to the Britannica execrated by his subjects.

Life dates

13 Dec 1521-27 Aug 1590 (68 years old)

Country

Italy

Institutions

Holy See
Roman Inquisition

Category

Financial misconduct, Persecution

Level of evidence

B two independent scholarly sources · what does this mean?

Background

Course of events

1. Sixtus was born at Grottamara on 13 December 1521, entered a Franciscan monastery and was sent to Venice as inquisitor general, where he became embroiled in quarrels and was forced to leave in 1560.
   Evidence: Cambridge University Press (Wikisource), Artikel Sixtus, Sixtus V.

   „was born at Grottamara, in Ancona, on the 13th of December 1521“

   Evidence: Cambridge University Press (Wikisource), Artikel Sixtus, Sixtus V.

   „He was sent to Venice as inquisitor general, but carried matters with a high hand, became embroiled in quarrels, and was forced to leave (1560).“

Who received the assets, who profited?

1. According to the Britannica, he amassed a vast surplus through the sale of offices, new "Monti" and taxes, some of which proved ruinous.
   Evidence: Cambridge University Press (Wikisource), Artikel Sixtus, Sixtus V.

   „By the sale of offices, the establishment of new “Monti” and by levying new taxes, he accumulated a vast surplus“

   Evidence: Cambridge University Press (Wikisource), Artikel Sixtus, Sixtus V.

   „some of the taxes proved ruinous“

Response of the Church

1. He excommunicated Henry of Navarre and supported the League and the Armada. His edition of the Vulgate was withdrawn because of its many errors.
   Evidence: Cambridge University Press (Wikisource), Artikel Sixtus, Sixtus V.

   „he excommunicated Henry of Navarre, and contributed to the League and the Armada“

   Evidence: Robert Appleton Company / The Encyclopedia Press (Wikisource), Artikel Pope Sixtus V

   „was withdrawn from circulation on account of its many errors“

See also

• 1199-1917 · 718 years

  Prohibition and restriction of the Bible in the vernacular for lay people

  • France
  • Spain
  • Vatican City
  • Censorship
• 21 Jul 1542-7 Dec 1965 · 423 years

  Roman Inquisition (Holy Office)

  • Italy
  • Vatican City
  • Heresy trials
  • Persecution
  • Censorship

Scholarly literature and reference works

1. Reference work
   Cambridge University Press (Wikisource): Sixtus (Sixtus V.), in: Encyclopædia Britannica (1911), Bd. 25, 1 January 1911. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
2. Reference work
   Robert Appleton Company / The Encyclopedia Press (Wikisource): Pope Sixtus V, in: Catholic Encyclopedia (1912), Bd. 14, 1 January 1912. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.