The Spanish Inquisition

This book challenges the reputation of the Spanish Inquisition as an instrument of religious persecution, torture and repressionand looks at its wider role as an educative force in society. A reassessment of the history of the Spanish Inquisition. Challenges the reputation of the Inquisition as an instrument of religious persecution, torture and repression. Looks at the wider role of the Inquisition as an educative force in society. Draws on the findings of recent research by American, British and European scholars. Includes original documentary evidence in translation.

List of Maps and Plates Acknowledgements Chronology 1 The Historiography of the Inquisition Introduction Sixteenth and Seventeenth-century Literature The Black Legend Eighteenth and Nineteenth-century Literature Twentieth-century Scholarship The Inquisitorial Data-bank The Four Seasons of the Inquisition Conclusion 2 The Inquisition as an Institution The Office of Inquisitor General The Council of Inquisition The Inquisition in the Provinces The Procedures of the Inquisition The Auto de Fe The Finances of the Inquisition Inquisitors General of Castile and Aragón, 1483-1818 (Appendix) 3 The Inquisition and the Converso Anti-semitic Tensions in Spanish Society The Statutes of Limpieza de Sangre The Beginnings of the Spanish Inquisition The Expulsion of the Jews The Portuguese New Christians 4 The Inquisition and the Morisco 1492-1525: Coexistence and Conversion 1526-1550: Respite 1560-1570: Coercion and Revolt in Granada 1570-1600: The End of Tolerance in Aragón 1600-1609: The Route to Expulsion 1609-1614: The Aftermath 5 The Inquisition and Protestantism Illuminism and Humanism under Attack Innovation in Religious Life Condemned The Protestant Challenge, 1558--1559 Inquisitorial Censorship and the 1559 Index Biblical Scholarship under Scrutiny 6 The Inquisition and Minor Heresy Religious Instruction Religious Deviance: (a) Blasphemy (b) Bigamy and Sexual Promiscuity (c) Solicitation (d) Superstition and Witchcraft 7 The Decline and Abolition of the Inquisition The Inquisition under the Bourbons The Cortes of Cádiz, 1810--1813 Restoration and Abolition, 1814--1823 Goya's Inquisition The balance of History Bibliography and References Glossary Index