by Kylie Fox

Created on: October 07, 2008   Last Updated: October 09, 2008

"The Black Legend" as the Spanish Inquisition has been known, conjures to the minds of many, images of torture and burnings at the stake of thousands of innocents, though, in fact, most of this is grossly exaggerated. The views of historians have altered over time and continues to be a source of controversy to this day. Although, documentation of the trials and interrogations of the accused during the period are incredibly detailed, many have been lost to the passage of time making it impossible to ascertain a "truth" to the Inquisition.

The Spanish Inquisition was established in 1481 by Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille, essentially to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms. Many motives for the introduction of the Inquisition into Spain have been suggested:

1. Establishing political and religious homogeneity. The Catholic Monarchs accused the Jews of "corrupting the Catholic faith with the dead Law of Moses". Also, the Inquisition gave them the power to intervene in religious affairs, without the interference of the pope, allowing them to maximize their control and centralize their political authority.

2. Funding the Reconquista. The Monarchs were accused of funding this with the confiscated property of those found guilty by the Inquisition.

3. Fear, Whether real or imagined, there was fear that Jews would encourage Mohammedans to conquer Spain.

The initial role of the Inquisition was to ascertain the Catholic devotion of conversos, also called New Christians, who were distrusted by both Jews and Christians for their religious beliefs. Jews had, at the time, three options, flee Spain, convert to Christianity or face exile by the Inquisition. Those who chose conversion to escape persecution were still at risk of facing the Inquisition to determine the depth of their faith.

As time went on, however, Jews were not the only group to be persecuted and prosecuted by the Inquisition. Soon Muslims and Lutherans were to join them. Later other perceived offences were presided over by the Inquisition.

Of a total of nearly 50000 trials between 1560 and 1700 that are registered, the following numbers are represented: judaizantes 5,007; moriscos (converted Muslims) 11,311; Lutherans 3499; alumbrados 149; superstitions (which included witchcraft) 3,750; heretical propositions 14,319; bigamy 2,790; solicitation 1,241; offences against the Holy Office of the Inquisition 3,954 and; miscellaneous 2,575.

Functions of the Inquisition:

When the

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