51�Թ�

Anyway, this was the generalized approach put forward by the 13th-century Pope Alexander IV. In his 1258 papal bull Quod super nonnullis, he ordered inquisitors to generally avoid investigating sorcery unless what was happening “clearly savoured of manifest heresy.”

Alexander’s official descendants, his infant son Alexander IV and his “half-wit” half brother Philip Arridaeus, were quickly pushed aside.

For a while safety was sought by heretics in northern France, but the increasing vigor of the Inquisition established there drove the unfortunate refugees back, and in 1255 a bull of Alexander IV. authorized the Provincial of Paris and his inquisitors to pursue the fugitives in the territories of the Count of Toulouse.

The accession of Alexander IV. was signalized by a succession of bulls repeating and enforcing the regulations of his predecessor, and urging prelates and inquisitors to increased activity.

As the Inquisition warmed to its work, the four inquisitors provided for Lombardy by Innocent IV. proved insufficient, and, March 20, 1256, Alexander IV. ordered the provincial to increase the number to eight.