Spanish Inquisition

Jews during the Middle Ages Expelled from England and France Tolerated in Spain Late 1300s: Anti-Semitic riots in Spain – Many Jews converted in fear: “conversos” Held high positions in Spanish society: doctors, merchants Only 200,000 Jews in a population of 7.5 million People began to resent Jews and their money; questioned the sincerity of their Jewish conversions to Catholicism

The Spanish Crown At first, Isabella and Ferdinand continued policy of toleration of Jews – Ferdinand had inherited Jewish blood from his mother But many conversos reverted to their faith so Ferdinand and Isabella asked Rome’s permission to revive the Inquisition

In 1478, they introduced the Inquisition into their kingdoms to handle the problem of backsliding conversos. In 1492, they issued an edict expelling all practicing Jews from Spain. – Out of about 200,000 Jews, 150,000 fled – Efforts were made, through last-minute conversions, to keep good Jewish doctors Wanted one religion and purity of blood (untainted by Jews or Muslims) = goal of Spain

Inquisition Inquisition = a medieval judicial procedure for the punishment of heretics. (group of priests who looked for and punished non- Christians) Created by church to keep religion strong but controlled by Spanish crown to keep Spain strong and unified State controlled tribunal, ran by Tomas Torquemada (“grand inquisitor”) created to… – Investigate the sincerity of converts – Enforced uniformity of religion – Weaken opposition to the Monarchs

 If Jews and Muslims did not convert  Were speaking out against the church (heresy)  Or guilty of another crime = Taken before the Inquisition and possibly tortured until they confessed. They were sometimes killed.

Stages of the Inquisition 1. Accusations Inquisitor would read the “Edict of Grace” after Sunday Mass – Explained possible heresies; come relieve your conscience; grace period – If guilty you could step forward and “possibly” receive forgiveness – Encouraged to turn in others – Did not tell those who were turned in what they were brought in for or who turned them in

2. Detention Sequestration of property (took your stuff) in order to pay for the expenses. – Makes a LOT of money for the church Locked up for up to 2 years until they would hear your case To protect the “secrecy” of the process – Were not informed of why you were there – You had to remain in isolation.

3. The Trial Series of hearings to defend yourself Used torture to gain confessions – 1. Stretching by suspending people by arms and adding weights to their feet – 2. Placed a cloth in your mouth and then forced to ingest water…simulates drowning. – 3. The Rack! Strapped to a board at 4 corners and slowly spread apart breaking bones and tearing ligaments until limbs pulled off (also used hot irons and pinchers during this process) Is torture a successful method of questioning? Why or why not?

4. Sentencing (5 possible outcomes) 1.Acquitted: not guilty…allowed to go free (rare) 2.Suspended: not guilty or innocent. Could be brought in and re-questioned at any time without notice or explanation. 3.Penanced: public “punishment” exiled or fined 4.Reconciled: “forgiven” but had to pay the price which meant jail or a whipping 5.Relaxation: burned at the stake…usually applied to unregretful heretics and those who relapsed (if repented, shown mercy by being killed before burning)

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Journal Entry Write a journal entry from a Muslim perspective about the Reconquista AND the Spanish Inquisition. 5 historical vocabulary words per topic = 10 total Highlight the vocabulary words 1 page Hand-written or typed (double-spaced, Times New Roman or Calibri, size 12) Due tomorrow