Everybody has heard of the Inquisition, the dreaded institution that pursued and tortured heretics, philandering priests and sexual deviants for a period of over 350 years, from the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella in the fifteenth century to the Napoleonic Wars. But who were its targets? Why did it provoke such fear? How and where did it operate? Why was it founded, and why did it last for so long?
In lnqulisition, Toby Green brings this extraordinary period of history vividly to life by focusing on the hitherto untold stories of individuals from every section of society. ...
Everybody has heard of the Inquisition, the dreaded institution that pursued and tortured heretics, philandering priests and sexual deviants for a period of over 350 years, from the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella in the fifteenth century to the Napoleonic Wars. But who were its targets? Why did it provoke such fear? How and where did it operate? Why was it founded, and why did it last for so long?
In lnqulisition, Toby Green brings this extraordinary period of history vividly to life by focusing on the hitherto untold stories of individuals from every section of society. We encounter witches in Mexico, bigamists in Brazil,seditious Freemasons, Hindus, Jews, Moslems and Protestants, fornicating priests and sodomizing sailors. It was a time when church-goers had to look suitably devout or they might be denounced, a curse during a game of cards could lead to an investigation, and stripping fat from a leg of lamb was enough to excite accusations of being a secret Jew. People from all walks of life lived in a permanent state of fear.
Though filled with tales of terror and the unspeakable ways in which human beings can treat one another, this is also a story of hope and the resilience of the human spirit, Inquisition tells this fascinating history in all its human richness and complexity, describing how countless people fought back against the institution - and their own fear - paving the way for a more inclusive society.
Acknowledgements xi
Glossary xiii
Chronology xv
Maps xx
PROLOGUE I
One- THE END OF TOLERANCE 17
TWO - SPREADING THE FIRES 45
Three- TORTURED JUSTICE 65
Four- ESCAPE 88
Five - THE ENEMY WITHIN 109
Six-- TERROR ENVELOPS THE WORLD 142
Seven - THE ISLAMIC THREAT 164
Eight- PURITY AT ALL COSTS 192
Nine- EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE 212
Ten - THE ADMINISTRATION OF FEAR 231
Eleven- THE THREAT OF KNOWLEDGE 256
Twelve - THE NEUROTIC SOCIETY 284
Thirteen - PARANOIA 315
Fourteen -- THE FAILURE OF FEAR AND
THE FEAR OF FAILURE 340
Notes 361
Bibliography 410
Index 439