Ferrand Martínez

Ferrand (or Ferrán) Martinez (fl. 14th century) was an elite Spanish cleric at the Cathedral of Seville and archdeacon of Écija most noted for being an antisemitic agitator whom historians cite as the prime mover behind the series of massacres of the Spanish Jews in 1391, beginning in the city of Seville.

Early life Little is known of Martínez's early life.

Role in the struggle for power Martínez was made an alcalde (royal judge) in 1376.

The Massacre of 1391

A tipping point occurred when both Juan I and Barroso died in 1390, leaving his 11-year-old son Henry III to rule under the regency of his mother. Declaring that neither the state nor the local church authorities had power over him, he ignored the commands.

Imprisonment and death Martínez was imprisoned again by royal order in 1395, and although he was quickly released, he died soon after, leaving his fortune to a hospital he had founded at San María, Seville.