Diego de Arce y Reinoso was born in
Zalamea de la Serena on 25 April 1587, the son of Fernando de Arce y Reynoso, Lord of Arce, and his wife Catalina Ávila y Palomares. He was
baptized on 3 May 1587. Becoming a churchman, he gained the favor of
Philip IV of Spain, who appointed him to the
Real Cancillería de Granada, the
Audiencia de Sevilla, and the
Council of Castile. The king also arranged for him to become successively
Bishop of Tuy (1635–37),
Bishop of Ávila (1637–40), and
Bishop of Plasencia (1640–52). On 3 Feb 1636, he was consecrated bishop by
Fernando Valdés Llano,
Archbishop of Granada, with
Gaspar Prieto Orduña,
Bishop of Alghero, and
Miguel Avellán,
Auxiliary Bishop of Seville serving as co-consecrators. He became
Grand Inquisitor of
Spain on 14 November 1643, holding that position until 1665. He was long involved in plans to found a school in Zalamea, but the
Portuguese Restoration War prevented the beginning of construction of the school until after his death. He died on 19 July 1665. ==Episcopal succession==