Isabella and Ferdinand: Inquisition

Question 1

Who influenced Isabella to launch the inquisition?

Answer 1

Tomas de Torquemada

Question 2

Who was Tomas de Torquemada?

Answer 2

Isabella’s confessor as a child and a devout Catholic (wool shirt)

Question 3

Why was the Inquisition originally launched

Answer 3

To enforce catholic orthodoxy around the world and to get rid of Converso jews

Question 4

What year was the inquisition set up?

Answer 4

1478

Question 5

What was the process used by the inquisitors?

Answer 5

If they confessed:
- Punished by whipping or a pilgrimage

If they didn’t confess:
- Tortured and executed

Question 6

What were the two primary methods of torture used?

Answer 6

1) Feet held to fire

2) Stretching

Question 7

How were heretics found in the inquisition?

Answer 7

Neighbours and friends reported each other

Question 8

Why did Isabella agree to the inquisition?

Answer 8

1) She promised Torquemada she would make all of castile Christian
2) Torquemada persuaded I+F that the conversos would undermine stability
3) The Conversos were wealthy so there was money to be made from the inquisition

Question 9

Why was there resentment and envy towards the conversos? (3)

Answer 9

I) There was belief that they were not true in the beliefs or practices

II) Many of the conversos were wealthy

III) Many held important positions in Spain