History The Spanish Inquisition Questions Medium
The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, was a judicial institution aimed at maintaining religious orthodoxy and eliminating heresy in Spain. The key legal procedures followed by the Spanish Inquisition can be summarized as follows:
1. Accusation: The Inquisition relied heavily on denunciations and accusations made by individuals against suspected heretics. These accusations could be made anonymously, and the accused were often unaware of the identity of their accusers.
2. Arrest and Detention: Once accused, the Inquisition had the power to arrest and detain individuals without formal charges or evidence. The accused were often held in secret prisons, known as inquisitorial jails, where they were isolated from the outside world.
3. Interrogation: The accused were subjected to rigorous interrogations, often involving torture, to extract confessions or information about their alleged heretical activities. The Inquisition believed that torture was a legitimate means to obtain the truth and save the souls of the accused.
4. Trial: The Inquisition conducted trials in which the accused had limited legal rights. The trials were presided over by inquisitors, who acted as both judges and prosecutors. The accused were not allowed legal representation, and witnesses against them were often kept anonymous.
5. Secret Evidence: The Inquisition relied on secret evidence, which was not disclosed to the accused or their defense. This prevented the accused from effectively challenging the evidence presented against them.
6. Auto-da-fé: After the trial, if found guilty, the accused were publicly sentenced in a ceremony known as the auto-da-fé (act of faith). The severity of the punishment varied, ranging from public penance to imprisonment, confiscation of property, or even execution by burning at the stake.
7. Appeals: The accused had the right to appeal their sentences, but the appeals process was often lengthy and rarely resulted in a reversal of the original verdict.
It is important to note that the Spanish Inquisition operated outside the regular legal system, and its procedures were often arbitrary and biased. The Inquisition's primary goal was to enforce religious conformity and maintain the power of the Catholic Church in Spain, often leading to the persecution and expulsion of religious minorities, such as Jews and Muslims.