The Spanish Inquisition

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  • The Spanish Inquisition
    • Background
      • The Jewish community was strong in the Iberian peninsula and during Henry III's reign they were pressured to convert to the Christian faith
        • In 1478 Isabella started the Spanish tribunal which aimed to seek out heresy in Castile
          • A bull was issued by Pope Sixtus IV which allowed the Spanish Monarchs to appoint inquisitors
            • This didn't mean that the Spanish Monarchs seeking help from the church for unity
              • Instead it was used to sustain the absolute power of the monarchy in Spain
            • Pope Sixtus tried to intervene in Seville after learning of the brutality the the Spanish monarchy refused to give up its new weapon
            • In 1483 thew Pope authorised Spain to name a Grand Inquisitor for Castile and later for Aragon
              • The Grand Inquisitor was then assisted by a council of the Inquisition and then local tribunals
                • The first tribunals were established in 1482 in Sevilee, Cordoba, Zaragoza and Valencia
                  • The Capitulaciones of Granada guaranteed religious freedom for Muslims in 1491
                    • However in 1502, Moors were expelled from Castile if they refused baptism
                      • This also happened in 1492 to the Jews
                    • The Reconquista was finished in 1492 with the capture of Granada
    • historiography of the Inquisition
      • Antisemitic views were held in Spain before the ascension of Isabella and the Inquisition
        • Alonso de Espina wrote a book in 1460 detailing the transgressions of conversos
          • He noted the continuation of Jewish traditions and fake compliance with Christian ones
            • In his book he calls for legal action against this heresy
          • However figures also took a different stance to this
            • The Archbishop of Toledo, Alfonso Carillio supported the tolerance and education of converso heretics
      • When the Inquisition began its operation in 1480 it generated a range of responses
        • A chronicler by the name of Andres Bernaldez justified the need for the tribunals and Spanish Inquisition
          • He recorded that over 700 converted Jews had been burnt and more than 5000 had been punished by the Seville Inquisition by 1488
          • The chronicler takes a triumphant stance in the chronicles
          • It's important to note that he was an Andalasian Catholic priest
            • This area was rife with heresy and was even visited by Isabella to observe it
        • Fernando de Pulgar (A secretary to the Catholic kings and new Christian)
          • Took a negative stance on the Spanish Inquisition
            • He alongside the Archbishop of Seville voiced their dissent for the cruel activity of the inquisiton
              • They argued that whilst heresy shouldn't be tolerated burning them is unchristian and force desperation
                • This would see them flee to which conversion is now impossible
        • Friar Hernando de Talavera, confessor to Queen Isabella also dissented the Inquisition
          • He advocated that the Jews and Moors shouldn't be punished for keeping to their faith
            • He also suggests that they shouldn't be forced to adhere to Catholic customs
              • Historians think that this view was more widespread than historical evidence suggests but was suppressed for political reasons
          • He voiced his views in his Catholica Impugnacion in 1487
    • Trial and punishment
      • The Inquisition only arrested suspects after conclusive evidence was provided
        • As a result suspects were often presumed guilty and are encouraged to confess
          • Witnesses kept their anonymity
          • If the evidence was found to be false however, the suspect was set free immediatelty
          • Prisoners often didn't know what they were accused of for months
            • They were given 3 chances to confess where after they would have their charges laid before them
              • The defendant was required to respond to the charges on the spot without any legal representation
                • Originally the prisoners had freedom of choice over lawyers
                  • However with growing paranoia, the defendant would be given an advocate by the Inquisition
                    • These advocates would often provide little help and were supportive of the Inquisition
                • Afterwards the suspect was allowed legal representation
        • The inquisition was not a court of justice, but a disciplinary body which acted to meet a national emergancy
      • The burning of a judaizer was recorded in 1719
        • The judaizer was tired to a pyre in front of a crowd
          • The judaizer was given one last chance to convert to the Catholic faith
            • The judaizer accepted Jesus, however he wasn't freed
              • The executioner then strangled the judaizer until it was certain he was dead
                • After which the pyre was burned until the body was ash
                  • These public displays however were an uncommon occurence
                    • They cost around 20 ducets to throw
                    • Granada held 15 between 1549 and 1593
                    • Despite the cost., they were impress, but they became increasingly unpopular with time
                      • Philip V was the first monarch to refuse to attend one in 1701

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