The Spanish Inquisition

Established by Isabella and Ferdinand in 1478 Isabella and Ferdinand got the approval of the

Pope Sixtus IV to expel Jews, Protestants and non-believers from Spain

Tomas de Torquemada-Grand Inquisitor Also one in Portugal and Rome

Origins

Isabella

Ferdinand

It is believed that 40,000 Jews were forced out Those that stayed in Spain had to convert to

Catholicism Those Jews that became Catholics became

known as “converso”

Persecution

Catholics began to target Protestants in the

16th century First group was the Lutherans

Persecution was also directed toward the Moriscos, these were converts from Islam

Many Jews and Muslims were expelled in 1492 after the Muslim stronghold of Granada fell

Political and religious unity Strengthen power of the Spanish monarchy Economic (confiscating property of those who

were forced out) Fear

Motives for the Spanish Inquisition

People that refused to convert or leave were

subject to trials There were several options when it came time

to sentence someone Acquited Suspended (let go, but still under suspicion) Penance (guilty and had to pay fines and confess) Reconciled (guilty and may be tortured) Relaxation to the secular arm (burned at the

stake)

Sentencing

A religious ceremony (literally – “act of faith”) Came after a sentencing Had a mass, a prayer and brought the guilty in

front of authorities for sentencing Ritual of public penance of condemned

heretics and apostates that took place when the Spanish Inquisition had decided their punishment, followed by the execution by the civil authorities of the sentences imposed

Auto De Fe

Isabella and Ferdinand saw the burning of

2,000 people and 15,000 were reconciled The total figures are as follows

341,021 people were put on trial 31,912 of them were killed

Death Toll

The Inquisition was abolished July 15th, 1834

(spread to Spanish colonies) This was a Royal Decree signed by Maria

Cristina de Borbon

End of the Inquisition

A persons arms would

be tied behind their back and they are suspended from a ceiling

Also has weights on legs

Strappado

A cloth is placed

in a person’s mouth and they are forced to ingest water

Simulates drowning

Toca

A person

would be placed on a table and their limbs would be stretched

Ligaments would pop

Rack

A person was

seated and fastened into chair that had up to 2,000 spikes

Spanish Chair  

A person was placed in side of

a sarcophagus that had spikes in it

Spikes would stab person, but miss vital organs

Iron Maiden

Perhaps if an

individual would repent, they would be strangled with the garrote before being burned

Garrote