Spanish Series: Part 3 - The Inquisition

So we left off with the Reconquista being a success, defeating the Muslims and taking the territory of would-be Spain back into Christian hands. With the marriage of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, their kingdoms merging into one, Spain looks almost as it does today (in regards to borders). This is when they decide that they are now in a position to do the absolutely unexpected. In comes the Spanish Inquisition.

A depiction of one of the executions. It's fortunate
everything smelled terrible in the Middle Ages, because
it must be tough to get used to the smell of burning flesh.

The Inquisition begins with a friar bringing the issue of people secretly practicing Judaism in private, making it the least cool secret society ever, but also putting on the coolest Barmitzfahs. The monarchs then bring this piece of information to the Pope, requesting his permission to spite the nonbelievers. At first he denied their request, but with the threat of withdrawing the Spanish military force away from protecting Rome meant the Vatican was about to change it’s mind faster than the top speed of the Popemobile - which I assume is at least a moderately high speed. 

Right away, people were executed for the practice of non-Christian beliefs, typically in the form of being burned at the stake. Riots rose up in defense of the atrocities, possibly hoping for at least a more humane way of murdering the non-believers - some sort of stoning or something, preferably. The riots actually got strong enough to rise up and murder one of the top ranking inquisitors. Unfortunately for them, this had a negative effect on the public image of those against the inquisition. Think of it this way; you’re saying the people who believe something else are evil, corrupt, etc., and the people who disagree go and murder someone. All of a sudden the general opinion is going to shift a little. 

A torture chamber during the inquisition. Also
pictured: depressing.

Once that ugliness was out of the way, a whole new wave of ugliness rolled in. Half of the Jews were expelled entirely, while the other half claimed to convert - more so to avoid expulsion than any sudden, grand change in perspective which you would think would be pretty obvious to everyone involved, but... perhaps not. In addition to the removal, they would take all their worldy possessions - gold, jewels, territory, housing - everything. This meant that Spain had a massive, sudden influx of wealth but a notably diminished middle class, making their growth stagnate for the next long while. It was like selling your car, rendering you unable to get to work.Some time later, the Muslims would arrive at the same fate. Confiscation, then forced conversion, or simply deportation. 

Basically how it would go was an inquisitor would swing by a town. He’d tell everyone they’re to confess if they’ve been practicing any other religions than Christianity. If you confessed, they’re likely to take it easy on you - easy being “change your religion and give us all your stuff”, but better than the alternative. They would then ask if anyone knows anyone committing any grievances, leading to a number of false accusations and suspicion. It was all done anonymously, and if the internet has taught me anything, anonymnity brings out absolute monsters in people. If you were accused, you would be brought to detention - sometimes for years - while you wait for a verdict, your property typically being what pays off the fines. That would all be leading up to the trial, in which you would occasionally be tortued with a number of disturbingly ingenious methods. The worst crimes, or repeat offenders, would be executed. Fortunately, if you recanted on your death-stake, they would cut your throat first so you didn’t have to suffer the indignity of screaming while burning to death. It was by no means a pleasant time.

The inquisition ended more with a whimper than a bang. Power started to move away from the church and more towards the state, and their influence simply decreased over time. Over the course of the inquisition, 150,000 were tried, about 2% of them being executed. That may not sound like a high number of executions, but considering they’re public burnings, it sounds considerably more horrific. What a great way to start a monday for a grade eight class!

Famous Historical Figures Say the Darndest Things!

1. "Many true and faithful Christians, because of the testimony of enemies, rivals, slaves and other low people - and still less appropriate - without tests of any kind, have been locked up in secular prisons, torture and condemned like relapsed heretics, deprived of their goods and properties, and given over to the secular arm to be executed, at great danger to their souls, giving a pemicious example and causing scandal to many." The Pope's run on sentence in regards to the inquisition; he was neither a fan of it, nor punctuation. 
2. "...great harm suffered by Christians (i.e. Converos) from the contact, intercourse and communication which they have with the Jews, who always attempt in various ways to seduce faithful Christians from our Holy Catholic Faith." -Henry Keegan, British Historian on why they were expelled.