Spanish Inquisition

Quick Facts: Who was Spanish Inquisition?

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Spanish Inquisition

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A powerful tribunal system enforcing Catholic orthodoxy in Spain, central to state power.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition (Spanish: Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición) was authorized by Pope Sixtus IV in 1478 and the first inquisitors, Miguel de Morillo and Juan de San Martín, were appointed by the future Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, in 1480. Although its stated aim was to maintain Christian orthodoxy, it became an effective instrument of state power by replacing the Medieval Inquisition, which was under Papal control. Over the course of the Inquisition, the Inquisition prosecuted an estimated 150,000 people for various offences. Of these, an estimated 3,000–5,000 were turned over to the state for execution, particularly in the initial 50 years, mostly by burning at the stake. Other punishments included penance and public flogging, exile, enslavement on galleys, and prison terms ranging from several years to life imprisonment.

Career & Major Achievements

According to Joseph Pérez an important aspect of many of these punishments was the profit motive confiscation of all the victims' property. The Inquisition was originally intended primarily to identify heretics among those who converted from Judaism and Islam to Catholicism. The regulation of the faith of newly converted Catholics intensified following the royal decrees issued in 1492 and 1502 ordering Jews and Muslims to either convert to Catholicism, leave Castile or face death. Hundreds of thousands of forced conversions, torture and executions, the persecution of conversos and moriscos, and the mass expulsions of Jews and Muslims from Spain all followed. An estimated 40,000–100,000 Jews were expelled in 1492 and estimated 300,000 of Muslims/Moriscos in 1602 to 1609.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Conversos were subjected to blood purity statutes (limpieza de sangre), which introduced racially-based discrimination and antisemitism, lasting into the 19th and 20th centuries. Moriscos were subjected to centuries-long campaign of forced conversion, cultural suppression, surveillance, discrimination, violence, and finally mass expulsion. After the fall of Granada in 1492, the Muslims were initially promised religious freedom, but from 1502, Muslims in Castile were ordered to choose baptism or exile; Valencia and Aragon followed in the 1520’s. Philip II’s 1566-67 measures banned Arabic in speech and writing, Arabic books and names, traditional clothing, music, holidays and other customs, while also applying discriminatory taxation to damage their silk-trade livelihood. Repression provoked the Alpujarras revolt in 1568-71.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1478: 1478 Milestone — The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition (Spanish: Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición) was authorized by Pope Sixtus IV in 1478 and the first inquisitors, Miguel de Morillo and Juan de San Martín, were appointed by the future Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, in 1480.
2. 1492: 1492 Milestone — The regulation of the faith of newly converted Catholics intensified following the royal decrees issued in 1492 and 1502 ordering Jews and Muslims to either convert to Catholicism, leave Castile or face death.
3. 1566: 1566 Milestone — Philip II’s 1566-67 measures banned Arabic in speech and writing, Arabic books and names, traditional clothing, music, holidays and other customs, while also applying discriminatory taxation to damage their silk-trade livelihood.
4. 1568: 1568 Milestone — Repression provoked the Alpujarras revolt in 1568-71.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Spanish Inquisition

True or False: “The Spanish Inquisition was established solely to combat internal theological disputes among the nobility.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it targeted heresy, its function evolved into a powerful instrument of state power used for various political and social controls.

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