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An Inquisition had existed in Aragón since 1232, when Pope [[Gregory IX]] had issued the [[Papal Bull]] ''[[Declinante]]'', although Castile had never had an Inquisition and Granada was an independant [[Islam]]ic stronghold. In 1474 Isabella succeeded to the throne of Castile and her husband Ferdinand to that of Aragón in 1479. They made a political decision to force religious conformity across all three regions, and the enforced conversion of the Jewish and Muslim population were crucial to their aim.
An Inquisition had existed in Aragón since 1232, when Pope [[Gregory IX]] had issued the [[Papal Bull]] ''[[Declinante]]'', although Castile had never had an Inquisition and Granada was an independant [[Islam]]ic stronghold. In 1474 Isabella succeeded to the throne of Castile and her husband Ferdinand to that of Aragón in 1479. They made a political decision to force religious conformity across all three regions, and the enforced conversion of the Jewish and Muslim population were crucial to their aim.
Spanish Jews had been persecuted since the 7th century, but the persecution reached new heights in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1235 jews were forced to wear a yellow circular patch for easier identification. In 1391 massacres of Jewish communities began, in Majorca, Aragon and Seville (where at least 4000 were killed).<ref>'''Kamen, Henry''', ''The Spanish Inquisition'', New York: New American Library (1965).</ref> Tens of thousands of Jews converted to Christianity to escape death, but the sincerity of these ''conversos'' was questioned. Ferdinand and Isabella, along with the rest of the ruling elite believed that the Jews and the ''conversos'' posed a genuine threat to their power and saw a full Inquisition as a means of reasserting the predominance of the aristocracy.
Spanish Jews had been persecuted since the 7th century, but the persecution reached new heights in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1235 jews were forced to wear a yellow circular patch for easier identification. In 1391 massacres of Jewish communities began, in Majorca, Aragón and Seville (where at least 4000 were killed).<ref>'''Kamen, Henry''', ''The Spanish Inquisition'', New York: New American Library (1965).</ref> Tens of thousands of Jews converted to Christianity to escape death, but the sincerity of these ''conversos'' was questioned. Ferdinand and Isabella, along with the rest of the ruling elite believed that the Jews and the ''conversos'' posed a genuine threat to their power and saw a full Inquisition as a means of reasserting the predominance of the aristocracy.
==Tomás de Torquemada==
==Tomás de Torquemada==
==The ''Suprema''==
==The ''Suprema''==
Ferdinand and Isabella had divided the administration of Spain into 5 Councils:
*the Council of State
*the Council of Finance
*the Council of Castile
*the Council of Aragón
*the Council of the Inquisition - more commonly known as the ''Suprema'' <ref>'''Turberville, A.S'''.,''Medieval Heresy and the Inquisition'', London: Crosby, Lockwood and Son (1920).</ref>
The ''Suprema'' was controlled and organized by the Office of the Inquisitor-General, and Torquemada put great efforts into the role. He created the first set of rules, the ''Instrucciónes Antiguas'', in 1484 on the basis of his own experience, with additions in 1485, 1488 and 1498.<ref>Ibid.; Kamen, op cit.</ref> New tribunals were established - by 1520 there were 22 temporary tribunals, plus 12 permanent tribunals in Castile and 4 in Aragón. Each had a large staff and 2 Inquisitors. The Inquisitors were required to be "masters of theology" and at least 40 years of age (although later the age limit was dropped to 30.) Additionally, each tribunal also employed:
*an ''alguazil'' (a "constable" responsible for arrests)
*several ''calificadores'' (assessors of evidence)
*a ''fiscal'' (prosecutor)
*gaolers
*chaplains
*clerks
*notaries
*"familiars"
The tribunals were overseen by ''visitadores'' ("travelling inspectors") who reported to the ''Suprema''. The "familiars" were the spies and informers of the Inquisition. These posts could be bought and sold and were often herditary. Their number was vast - in the 16th century there were 805 in [[Toledo}], 805 in Granada and 1,009 in [[Santiago]].
==Procedure of the Inquisition==
A clear picture of their activities can be seen in this account:
<div style="width: 70%; margin: 0 15% 1em 15%; text-align: left; background-color: #DEE6ED; padding: 0.5em; border: solid 1px #6699CC;">"The depositions of the witnesses are shown to the defendant, with names of witnesses suppressed. Everything is read distorted and contorted - with so many obscurities and circumlocutions and with the wording so vague, as to seem the language of any creature other than a rational being. In the deposition formulas specially noticeable are the holy wiles: when they say "He heard from a certain person whom he has named," it is to be understood that it is the defendant himself from whom he heard it! When the prisoner has answered as well as he ca, his advocate opportunely appears. In the presence of the Inquisitors he indicates to the prisoner the evidence by which he is hardest pressed, and the one remedy left - aa shrewd guess at his assailant, with a view to consideration of possible exceptions against him; he advises him to try, for some days to recall to memory those with whom he may chance to have had fued - because, if enmity can be established through legitimate investigation, this one exception will repel any man from giving evidence in this tribunal; he warns him that he can deny evidence that is not sufficiently consistent. This is the utmost assistance which a prisoner can expect from his advocate; and thus he is bidden back to his prison. three or four days later he is called to audience, and is asked if he can remember and explain anything - the advocate enquiring if he has amde any guess at the witnesses. Prisoner brings forward what he can remember - begging them to see whether by chance his delators are among these. If he has not guessed correctly, not only is his reply wasted, but also the three or four days trouble of guessing - and the accusation remains unshaken. But should it chance that he guesses right, the advocate asks him what exceptions he can use against the persons named by him. The exceptions set forth, and the witnesses named by whom defendant will prove them, after prisoner has been allowed to repose for some '''months''' in his prison they summon him again to the contest; and the Inquisitor tells him that the witnesses named by him have been heard - so that he should see whether he has anything to say for himself, or whether he wishes to conclude. Defendant concluding, the Fiscal also concludes; and afterwards the Inquisitors, with the assessors and the consultors, pass sentence - when the theologians, monks and clerks have weighed whatever defendant has said bearing on doctrine and the Faith. The marks of their more than leoine claws are confiscation of property, perpetual or temporary imprisonment, a mud-colored garment commonly called ''sambenito'', perpetual infamy to all posperity."<ref>'''Turberville''', ''op cit.''</ref></div>