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The infamous Spanish Inquisition was an official government institution which carried out an organized campaign to wipe out heresy?, primarily by Jews who claimed to have converted to Christianity but who still practiced Judaism in secret. It was strongest in Catholic Aragon? and Castille?, ruled by Ferdinand and Isabella, respectively, in what is now Spain. At its height, it reached as far as Venice? and Scandinavia. The institution existed from 1481 until 1820, and was characterized by extreme cruelty and torture. Many thousands were burnt alive at the stake. |
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The infamous Spanish Inquisition was an official government institution which carried out an organized campaign to wipe out heresy?, primarily by Jews who claimed to have converted to Christianity but who still practiced Judaism in secret. It was strongest in Catholic Aragon? and Castile?, ruled by Ferdinand and Isabella, respectively, in what is now Spain. At its height, it reached as far as Venice? and Scandinavia. The institution existed from 1481 until 1820, and was characterized by extreme cruelty and torture. Many thousands were burnt alive at the stake. |
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Much of the Iberian peninsula had been ruled by the Moors, and the southern regions, particularly Granada?, were heavily populated by Muslims. Granada was still under Moorish rule -- they were not to be expelled until 1492. The large cities, especially Seville? and Barcelona, the capital of Aragon, had large Jewish populations centered in Juderias. While Isabelle was a devout Catholic, Ferdinand was not above using religion as a means of controlling his people. He wanted the Jewish and Muslim religions wiped out in his domains, and the Inquisition was his method for achieving that. |
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Much of the Iberian peninsula had been ruled by the Moors, and the southern regions, particularly Granada?, were heavily populated by Muslims. Granada was still under Moorish rule -- they were not to be expelled until 1492. The large cities, especially Seville?, Valladolid?, capital of Castile, and Barcelona, capital of Aragon, had large Jewish populations centered in Juderias. Many Jews had left Barcelona after the 1391 massacres, but there was still a sizeable Jewish population. There was a long tradition of Jewish service to the Crown of Aragon. Ferdinand's father, [John of Aragon]?, appointed [Abiathar Crescas]?, a Jew, as his court astrologer. Jews held many prominent posts, both religious and political. [Pedro de la Caballeria]?, a Marrano, played a major role in arranging Ferdinand's marriage. Castile even had an unofficial Crown Rabbi, a professing Jew. While Isabella was a devout Catholic, Ferdinand was not above using religion as a means of controlling his people. He wanted the Jewish and Muslim religions wiped out in his domains, and the Inquisition was his method for achieving that. Many historians believe the Spanish Inquisition was instituted as a way of weakening Ferdinand's primary political opposition at home. It is also possible that there was a financial motivation. Jewish financiers had provided many of the funds which Ferdinand's father used to pursue the alliance by marriage with Castile, and many of these debts were wiped out by the condemnation of the noteholder. |
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The Pope did not want the Inquisition established in Spain at all, but Ferdinand insisted. He prevailed upon [Rodrigo Borgia]?, then [Bishop of Valencia]? and a cardinal, to lobby Rome on his behalf. Borgia was partially successful, as Pope Sixtus IV sanctioned the Inquisition only in the state of Castille. Later, Borgia was to have Spain's support for his own papacy as Pope Alexander VI. |
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The Pope did not want the Inquisition established in Spain at all, but Ferdinand insisted. He prevailed upon [Rodrigo Borgia]?, then [Bishop of Valencia]? and a cardinal, to lobby Rome on his behalf. Borgia was partially successful, as Pope Sixtus IV sanctioned the Inquisition only in the state of Castile. Later, Borgia was to have Spain's support for his own papacy as Pope Alexander VI. |
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