The Origins of the Inquisition in Fifteenth-Century Spain
The Spanish Inquisition remains a fearful symbol of state terror. Its principal target was the conversos, descendants of Spanish Jews who had been forced to convert to Christianity some three generations earlier. Since thousands of them confessed to charges of practicing Judaism in secret, historians have long understood the Inquisition as an attempt to suppress the Jews of Spain. In this magisterial reexamination of the origins of the Inquisition, Netanyahu argues for a different view: that...
Search in google:
The Spanish Inquisition remains a fearful symbol of state terror. Its principal target was the conversos, descendants of Spanish Jews who had been forced to convert to Christianity some three generations earlier. Since thousands of them confessed to charges of practicing Judaism in secret, historians have long understood the Inquisition as an attempt to suppress the Jews of Spain. In this magisterial reexamination of the origins of the Inquisition, Netanyahu argues for a different view: that the conversos were in fact almost all genuine Christians who were persecuted for political ends. The Inquisition's attacks not only on the conversos' religious beliefs but also on their "impure blood" gave birth to an anti-Semitism based on race that would have terrible consequences for centuries to come.This book has become essential reading and an indispensable reference book for both the interested layman and the scholar of history and religion.
Preface to the Second EditionIntroductionBk. 1Historical BackgroundIThe Jewish Question3IIThe Spanish Scene28IIThe Age of Conversions127Bk. 2The Reign of Juan IIIThe Struggle for Monarchic Superiority217IIThe Great Debate351IIIReverses and Triumphs662Bk. 3Enrique IV and the Catholic KingsIEnrique IV: His Aims and Tactics715IILater Old Christian Controversy814IIIThe Chroniclers of Enrique IV897IVThe Catholic Kings: The Early Period915Bk. 4The Origins of the InquisitionIThe Major Causes925IISidelights and Afterthoughts1048App. AThe Number of the Marranos in Spain1095App. BDiego de Anaya and His Advocacy of Limpieza1103App. CWhen Did Sarmiento Leave Toledo?1106App. DJuan de Torquemada1110App. EThe Gibraltar Project1122App. FThe Death of Enrique IV1127App. GEspina's Source for the "Tale of the Two Tents"1131App. HThe Abuse of the Conversos as "Judaizers": When Did It Begin?1133App. IBernaldez on the Conversos' Occupations1137App. JRacism in Germany and Spain1141App. KThe Converso Conspiracies Against the Inquisition1147Notes1173Bibliography1321Acknowledgments1349Index1351
