Spanish Inquisitio

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To what extent did the inquisition strengthen the Spanish church?

Why has the inquisition caused controversy among

historians?

How effectively did the Spanish inquisition fulfil its role in mainland Spain?

AimsUnderstand the aims , methods, historical

development and historical debate surround the Inquisition

Motley

‘A bench of monks without appeal, having familiars in every house, diving into the secrets of every fireside, judging and executing its horrible decrees and practising torture without responsibility.’

Background

Background1478 –Aragon – root out heresy1480 - Anti-Semitic origins – conversos under

F&I1518 unified under Inquisitor General Controlled by Spanish crown rather than RomeHead/officials appointed by crownAppeals not permitted to RomeAuthorisation ran throughout all of Spain unlike

Cortes. But did have inquisitional districts.Eradication of heresy

Methods

Punishments – which is the worst?PenanceReconciledRelaxed

PunishmentsPenance – swore never again / fined /

banished / wear a special garmentReconciled – flogging / galley / prisonRelaxed – auto de fe

Ceremony of auto de fes important

Historical Development

Kamen Views – 5 periods of activity1) Tense activity under F&I2) Relatively quiet early 16th Century3) 1560-1614 – Protestant Panic and

Moriscos4) Remainder of 17th Century – moral

crimes5) 18th Century decline

Historical Debates

Historical Controversy

Cruel not in doubt but level of cruelty and repression debated

Ruthless PersecutionBlack Legend centre pieceJohn Foxe – ‘dreadful engine of tyranny’Fear of it being intro in Low Countries

contributed to Dutch revoltCruel repression Motley / Watson / CadouxPredominant view until 20th century

Revised viewKamen – softer view – Why?Executions smaller only 3 burnings per year 2% of

accused 16th centuryNot purely a Spanish prerogativeUse of torture in line with practices of the time – e.g. rackFew died under tortureGranada only 7% tortured 1573-1577View today repulsive yet inline with methods of the timeLimited resources peak 47-50 inquisitors, reliance on

locals etcSir Charles Petrie – compared positively to NKVD and

Gestapo

VictimsChanging patternUntil 1525 – conversosThe moriscosLess protestants – why?Regional variationsMore evidence of moral reform e.g. thought

crimes , solicitation, blasphemy

Effect?

Assessment of effect• Inquisition – corner stone of black legend• Repressive• Philip seen as a religious fanatic• Racial policy – contributed to morisco revolt

1568• May have closed off intellectual ideas to Spain• Yet index impossible to enforce even Escorial

had banned literatureInternal ‘turf wars’ between ordersClashes over ‘fueros’

Inquisition limited resources – 15 inquisitor districts, 45 inquisitors, variety of unpaid assistants, 8 million people, relied on laity for denunciations

Limited budget, over reliance on local officials

Yet Legally trainedSarah Nalle inquisition were never ‘marginal’ to

lives of Spaniards Increase in denunciations illustrates support of

inquisition.Yet – no worse than in England or France.

England 1570-1603 127 Catholic priests executed. Kamen claims only 100 burnt 1559-1562

Historical Controversy