WHAT IS THE SPANISH INQUISITION?: A HISTORY IN THREE STAGES

Summary

An overview of the Inquisition, explaining its origins, three distinct stages, and the historical reality behind the infamous Black Legend.

Highlights

Definition and Origins00:00:06

The Inquisition was an ecclesiastical institution established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy and promote religious unity. It evolved through three phases: the Medieval, the Papal, and the Spanish Inquisition.

Medieval and Papal Inquisitions00:00:26

The Medieval Inquisition began in the late 12th century to combat Cathar heresy, eventually leading to the Albigensian Crusade. Pope Gregory IX later established the Papal Inquisition to formalize the prosecution of heresy across Europe.

The Spanish Inquisition and the Black Legend00:01:21

Established in 1478, the Spanish Inquisition was controlled by the Spanish monarchy. The 'Black Legend' later emerged, as Protestant powers used the printing press to exaggerate the cruelty of the Spanish courts, despite similar methods being used throughout Europe at the time.

Historical Reality and Statistics00:02:34

Extensive records reveal that the Spanish Inquisition executed approximately 3,000 people over 350 years, a figure significantly lower than the 25,000 executions for witchcraft that occurred in Protestant territories during the same period.