The Spanish InquisitionBy: Joseph Appelbaum

Charith Desilva

Why the World Is Not Learning Anything

The Spanish Inquisition was an institution operated mostly through the Holy Office

Officially began in 1478 by a Papal Bull (Law) signed by Pope Sixtus IV

Gave the Holy Office authorization to eradicate by any means heresy within Spain

Final act of the Holy Office was in 1834 (Roth The Spanish Inquisition)

What Exactly is The Spanish Inquisition?

Jews in Spain since Roman timesEvery major city had juderia (Jewish Quarter)Started by Ferran Martinez in 1378Martinez preached against Jews, asking the

civilians to eradicate the Jews from Spain.Martinez led rebellion and burned juderia in

Seville (Roth 17, 19, 21,)

Precedent

After Seville, many other juderia were sacked throughout Spain

Fray Vincent Ferrer (Martinez follower) led angry mobs into synagogues and forced the Jews to convert to Catholicism (Roth 22, 25, 27)

Other Events

Jews converted en masse to CatholicismAs Christians, Former Jews (New Christians

or Marrano’s) had the same rights as “Old Christians”

New Christians became very active in politics, university, etc. (Roth 29)

Jewish Response

Queen Isabella’s confessorHated New ChristiansMade Isabella swear an oath to do everything

in her power to persecute the Jews (Roth 41)Became Head Inquisitor in 1482 (Roth 49)

Torqumada

Auto de fé was the ceremony in which the Holy Office burned heretics

First Act took place on Feb. 6, 14816 men and women burned alive (Roth 45)Ceremonies sometimes happened in honor of

visiting dignitariesSpanish monarch’s found it offensive if

dignitaries did not enjoy the burningsQueen Marie Louise of Orleans visited and

prisoner pleaded for their lives to her

Act of Faith (Auto de fé)

Used to extract confessions from accused heretics

Heretics that repented were forgiven either loosely or harshly (Roth 93)

Inquisitors used “Rope”, “Water”, and “Fire” (Roth 97-98)

(Spanish Inquisition Pictures)

Torture

(The Spanish Inquisition)

Interviews (1)

Interview(2)

Interviews (3)

Last Act of Faith in 1834Reasons:1. People lost interest 2. Spain lost power3. Fewer people convicted4. Less were executed

The Fall

“How the Spanish Inquisition Worked.” How Stuff Works. Freeman, Shanna. 05 Feb. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.

Roth, Cecil. The Spanish Inquisition. London:W.W. Norton Library, 1964.Print.

Works Cited