These limitations of the Inquisitorial authority safeguarded the crown and the episcopacy in a legal sense.

But since both crown and episcopacy concurred in the object for which the Papacy had established the tribunal, the Inquisitor was practically unimpeded in his functions.

Furnished with royal or princely letters patent, he traveled from town to town, attended by his guards and notaries, defraying current expenses at the cost of provinces and towns through which he passed.

Where he pitched his camp, he summoned the local magistrates, swore them to obedience, and obtained assurance of their willingness to execute such sentences as he might pronounce.

Spies and informers gathered round him, pledged to secrecy and guaranteed by promises of State-protection.