What were the methods used by the Spanish Inquisition to extract confessions?

The Spanish Inquisition employed various methods to extract confessions from individuals accused of heresy or other crimes against the Catholic Church. These methods can be categorized into physical and psychological techniques.

1. Physical Methods:
a) Torture: The Inquisition used various forms of torture to force confessions. These included the strappado (suspending the victim from the ceiling by their wrists, then dropping them suddenly), the rack (stretching the victim's limbs), and the pulley (lifting the victim off the ground by their arms tied behind their back). Other methods included waterboarding, burning with hot irons, and mutilation.

b) Sanbenito: This was a penitential garment worn by those convicted by the Inquisition. It was often a yellow tunic or robe adorned with symbols indicating the nature of the crime committed. The public humiliation associated with wearing the sanbenito was intended to pressure individuals into confessing.

2. Psychological Methods:
a) Isolation: Accused individuals were often held in solitary confinement for extended periods. This isolation was intended to break their spirit and make them more susceptible to confessing.

b) Threats and Intimidation: Inquisitors would frequently threaten accused individuals with severe punishment, including torture, execution, or confiscation of property. These threats aimed to instill fear and coerce confessions.

c) Deception: Inquisitors sometimes employed deceptive tactics, such as pretending to have evidence against the accused or falsely claiming that others had already confessed and implicated them. This manipulation aimed to create doubt and pressure individuals into confessing.

d) Lengthy Interrogations: Inquisitors would subject accused individuals to long and exhaustive interrogations, often lasting for hours or even days. These interrogations were designed to wear down the accused mentally and emotionally, making them more likely to confess.

It is important to note that while these methods were used by the Spanish Inquisition, their effectiveness in extracting genuine confessions is debatable. Many individuals may have confessed falsely under duress, leading to a significant number of wrongful convictions.