"The previously untranslated court documents, practical manuals, and letters collected here depict the Inquisition in vivid detail. This collection also illuminates the ways in which both ordinary individuals and elites actively participated in the turbulent and diverse religious culture of early modern Spain. The texts offer fresh perspectives on such topics as the Inquisition's persecution of converted Jews and Muslims, the role of women in Spanish religious life, the Inquisition's construction and prosecution of witchcraft, the routines of Inquisition prisons, and the relationship between the Inquisition and the Spanish monarchy."--BOOK JACKET.

This collection of previously untranslated court documents, testimonials, and letters portrays the Spanish Inquisition in vivid detail, offering fresh perspectives on such topics as the Inquisition's persecution of Jews and Muslims, the role of women in Spanish religious culture, the Inquisition's construction and persecution of witchcraft, daily life inside an Inquisition prison, and the relationship between the Inquisition and the Spanish monarchy. Headnotes introduce the selections, and a general introduction provides historical, political, and legal context. A map and index are included.

This collection of previously untranslated court documents, testimonials, and letters portrays the Inquisition in vivid detail, offering fresh perspectives on such topics as the Inquisition's persecution of Jews and Muslims, the role of women in Spanish religious culture, the Inquisition's construction and persecution of witchcraft, daily life inside an inquisition prison, and the relationship between the Inquisition and the Spanish Monarchy. Homza's general introduction traces the Inquisition's origins back to the Roman Empire and provides valuable historical, political, and legal context. Headnotes introduce each selection and footnotes identify unfamiliar terms, religious customs, and people.

Thirty-five years ago, Kamen wrote a study of the Inquisition that received high praise. This present work, based on over 30 years of new research, is not simply a complete revision of the earlier book. Innovative in its presentation, point of view, information, and themes, it will revolutionize further study in the field.

This book challenges the reputation of the Spanish Inquisition asan instrument of religious persecution, torture and repressionandlooks at its wider role as an educative force in society. A reassessment of the history of the Spanish Inquisition. Challenges the reputation of the Inquisition as an instrumentof religious persecution, torture and repression. Looks at the wider role of the Inquisition as an educativeforce in society. Draws on the findings of recent research by American, Britishand European scholars. Includes original documentary evidence in translation.

"In this completely updated edition of Henry Kamen's classic survey of the Spanish Inquisition, the author incorporates the latest research in multiple languages to offer a new-and thought-provoking-view of this fascinating period. Kamen sets the notorious Christian tribunal into the broader context of Islamic and Jewish culture in the Mediterranean, reassesses its consequences for Jewish culture, measures its impact on Spain's intellectual life, and firmly rebuts a variety of myths and exaggerations that have distorted understandings of the Inquisition. He concludes with disturbing reflections on the impact of state security organizations in our own time"--

Among them are a politically incendiary prophet, a self-proclaimed hermaphrodite, and a morisco, an Islamic convert to Catholicism.