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[[Image:Inquisition Scene.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goya's depiction of an Inquisition tribunal]]

[[Image:Inquisition Scene.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goya's depiction of an Inquisition tribunal]]

The '''Spanish Inquisition''' was founded by King [[Ferdinand II]] and Queen [[Isabella of Castile|Isabella]] of [[Spain]], and authorized by [[Pope]] [[Sixtus IV]] in 1478 to examine the genuineness of recent converts from [[Judaism]] to [[Christianity]]. The majority of its activities were dedicated to the suppression of the Jews, and it was primarily a political tribunal.  No one ever expected it.  

The '''Spanish Inquisition''' was founded by King [[Ferdinand II]] and Queen [[Isabella of Castile|Isabella]] of [[Spain]], and authorized by [[Pope]] [[Sixtus IV]] in 1478 to examine the genuineness of recent converts from [[Judaism]] to [[Christianity]]. The majority of its activities were dedicated to the suppression of the Jews, and it was primarily a political tribunal.  

==Background==

==Background==

==Arrest and imprisonment==

==Arrest and imprisonment==

The ''calificadores'' were required to make an assessment of the evidence before a suspect was arrested, although in practice this was only carried out when there were complex theological matters involved. In straight forward cases of Judaism or relapsed Islamic or Jewish converts, this stage was eliminated. Arrest followed swiftly, at any time of day or night, and the ''alguazil'' was accompanied by a notary who made an exhaustive inventory of the belongings of the suspect should the sentence involve confiscation. The suspect was then taken to one of the permanent Inquisition prisons, or ''casa di penitencia'', which propaganda and legend have made seem much worse than they really were. There are many recorded incidents of prisoners who sought transfer ''to'' an Inquisition prison from the ordinary gaols, even going so far as to denounce themselves as heretics. However, the prisons used for suspects during interrogation,  the ''cárceles secretas'', were far worse to assist in the psychological break down of suspects.

The ''calificadores'' were required to make an assessment of the evidence before a suspect was arrested, although in practice this was only carried out when there were complex theological matters involved. In straight forward cases of Judaism or relapsed Islamic or Jewish converts, this stage was eliminated. Arrest followed swiftly, at any time of day or night, and the ''alguazil'' was accompanied by a notary who made an exhaustive inventory of the belongings of the suspect should the sentence involve confiscation. The suspect was then taken to one of the permanent Inquisition prisons, or ''casa di penitencia'', which propaganda and legend have made seem much worse than they really were. There are many recorded incidents of prisoners who sought transfer ''to'' an Inquisition prison from the ordinary gaols, even going so far as to denounce themselves as heretics. However, the prisons used for suspects during interrogation,  the ''cárceles secretas'', were far worse to assist in the psychological break down of suspects.  Amongst its weaponry were such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and an almost fanatical devotion to the [[Pope]].

==Trial==

==Trial==