Chronology of
the Spanish Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition joined papal authority to royal coercion. Its campaign against Conversos—converts from יהדות YAHADUT and their descendants—made baptism the basis for prosecuting alleged fidelity to ancestral practices. Many families had entered Christianity under coercion. Neither baptism nor departure from the Iberian Peninsula necessarily ended their exposure to persecution.1

The sequence begins with earlier attacks and ancestry restrictions, then follows the Spanish institution and its overseas tribunals through final abolition. The Portuguese Inquisition was a separate institution.

ג׳ באדר א׳ ה׳ר״ט 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Adar I, AM 5209Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

A mob attacked the homes of Conversos in Toledo during a tax revolt.

ג׳ באדר א׳ ה׳ר״ט 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Adar I, AM 5209: A mob attacked the homes of Conversos in Toledo during a tax revolt. Under Pedro Sarmiento, the revolt became a campaign of arrests, seizures and exclusion.2

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י״ד בסיון ה׳ר״ט 14th 𝑜𝑓 Sivan, AM 5209Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Pedro Sarmiento proclaimed the Sentencia-Estatuto, excluding Conversos and their descendants from municipal offices in Toledo.

י״ד בסיון ה׳ר״ט 14th 𝑜𝑓 Sivan, AM 5209: Pedro Sarmiento proclaimed the Sentencia-Estatuto, excluding Conversos and their descendants from municipal offices in Toledo. Baptism did not remove the inherited disability.3

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5233-12b-14Precision: range · Basis: not-assessed

A Christian procession preceded the massacre of Conversos in Cordoba.

5233-12b-14: A Christian procession preceded the massacre of Conversos in Cordoba. Survivors sought protection in the Alcázar or fled.4

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5234-02-29Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Attackers massacred Conversos in Segovia during unrest instigated by Juan Pacheco and other nobles; Andrés de Cabrera intervened to protect the community.

5234-02-29: Attackers massacred Conversos in Segovia during unrest instigated by Juan Pacheco and other nobles; Andrés de Cabrera intervened to protect the community.5

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ו׳ בכסלו ה׳רל״ט 6th 𝑜𝑓 Kislev, AM 5239Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Pope Sixtus IV authorized the rulers of Castile to appoint inquisitors, giving royal officials a new instrument for religious prosecution.

ו׳ בכסלו ה׳רל״ט 6th 𝑜𝑓 Kislev, AM 5239: Pope Sixtus IV authorized the rulers of Castile to appoint inquisitors, giving royal officials a new instrument for religious prosecution.6

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כ״ג בתשרי ה׳רמ״א 23rd 𝑜𝑓 Tiŝrei, AM 5241Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Rulers Ferdinand II and Isabella I appointed Juan de San Martín and Miguel de Morillo as inquisitors to organize the tribunal at Seville.

כ״ג בתשרי ה׳רמ״א 23rd 𝑜𝑓 Tiŝrei, AM 5241: Rulers Ferdinand II and Isabella I appointed Juan de San Martín and Miguel de Morillo as inquisitors to organize the tribunal at Seville.7

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5241-11-02Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The inquisitors ordered neighboring nobles to arrest fugitives and seize their property, making local authorities participants in the pursuit.

5241-11-02: The inquisitors ordered neighboring nobles to arrest fugitives and seize their property, making local authorities participants in the pursuit.8

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ז׳ באדר ה׳רמ״א 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 5241Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The tribunal condemned six Conversos at its first auto-da-fé in Seville; secular authorities burned them.

ז׳ באדר ה׳רמ״א 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 5241: The tribunal condemned six Conversos at its first auto-da-fé in Seville; secular authorities burned them.9

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ד׳ באייר ה׳רמ״א 4th 𝑜𝑓 Iyar, AM 5241Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Pope Sixtus IV ordered Christian rulers to return fugitives to the Inquisition, attempting to close escape routes across political borders.

ד׳ באייר ה׳רמ״א 4th 𝑜𝑓 Iyar, AM 5241: Pope Sixtus IV ordered Christian rulers to return fugitives to the Inquisition, attempting to close escape routes across political borders.10

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1483, conventionallyPrecision: source-label · Basis: not-assessed

Tomás de Torquemada assumed leadership of the Castilian Inquisition; the conventional 1483 appointment date remains disputed.

1483, conventionally: Tomás de Torquemada assumed leadership of the Castilian Inquisition; the conventional 1483 appointment date remains disputed.1112

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ט״ז בחשוון ה׳רמ״ד 16th 𝑜𝑓 Ḥeŝvan, AM 5244Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Pope Sixtus IV extended Tomás de Torquemada’s authority over Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia.

ט״ז בחשוון ה׳רמ״ד 16th 𝑜𝑓 Ḥeŝvan, AM 5244: Pope Sixtus IV extended Tomás de Torquemada’s authority over Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia.13

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ח׳ בתשרי ה׳רמ״ו 8th 𝑜𝑓 Tiŝrei, AM 5246Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Pedro Arbués died after conspirators attacked him in Zaragoza.

ח׳ בתשרי ה׳רמ״ו 8th 𝑜𝑓 Tiŝrei, AM 5246: Pedro Arbués died after conspirators attacked him in Zaragoza. His murder strengthened support for the Inquisition and prompted extensive repression of Conversos.1415

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ז׳ באדר ה׳רמ״ו 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 5246Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The tribunal forced approximately 750 Conversos through Toledo.

ז׳ באדר ה׳רמ״ו 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 5246: The tribunal forced approximately 750 Conversos through Toledo. Its reconciliation imposed financial penalties and lasting restrictions.16

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י״ד בטבת ה׳רמ״ז 14th 𝑜𝑓 Tevet, AM 5247Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The tribunal forced approximately 900 people through Toledo and required declarations of Christian belief; about 200 had to wear identifying garments for a year.

י״ד בטבת ה׳רמ״ז 14th 𝑜𝑓 Tevet, AM 5247: The tribunal forced approximately 900 people through Toledo and required declarations of Christian belief; about 200 had to wear identifying garments for a year.17

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י״ב בשבט ה׳רמ״ח 12th 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 5248Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Four Conversos were executed following Barcelona’s first auto-da-fé.

י״ב בשבט ה׳רמ״ח 12th 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 5248: Four Conversos were executed following Barcelona’s first auto-da-fé. Twelve other people were condemned in effigy.18

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י״ז באב ה׳רמ״ח 17th 𝑜𝑓 Av, AM 5248Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The tribunal condemned twenty men and seventeen women at Toledo; secular authorities burned them after their alleged offenses were read publicly.

י״ז באב ה׳רמ״ח 17th 𝑜𝑓 Av, AM 5248: The tribunal condemned twenty men and seventeen women at Toledo; secular authorities burned them after their alleged offenses were read publicly.19

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י״ד בכסלו ה׳רנ״ב 14th 𝑜𝑓 Kislev, AM 5252Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Authorities executed two יהודים YEHUDIM and six Conversos at Avila after the La Guardia blood-libel trial.

י״ד בכסלו ה׳רנ״ב 14th 𝑜𝑓 Kislev, AM 5252: Authorities executed two יהודים YEHUDIM and six Conversos at Avila after the La Guardia blood-libel trial. No murdered child was identified.2021

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ג׳ בניסן ה׳רנ״ב 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 5252Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Rulers Ferdinand II and Isabella I issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering unbaptized יהודים YEHUDIM to leave.

ג׳ בניסן ה׳רנ״ב 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 5252: Rulers Ferdinand II and Isabella I issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering unbaptized יהודים YEHUDIM to leave. Alleged influence over Christians became a pretext for expulsion.22

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ז׳ באב ה׳רנ״ב 7th 𝑜𝑓 Av, AM 5252Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The Alhambra Decree’s departure deadline expired.

ז׳ באב ה׳רנ״ב 7th 𝑜𝑓 Av, AM 5252: The Alhambra Decree’s departure deadline expired. Remaining or returning exposed unconverted יהודים YEHUDIM to death and seizure of their possessions.23

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5296-03-16Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Juan de Zumárraga’s organized episcopal tribunal began operating in Mexico, before the later establishment of the centralized Holy Office.

5296-03-16: Juan de Zumárraga’s organized episcopal tribunal began operating in Mexico, before the later establishment of the centralized Holy Office.24

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ז׳ בשבט ה׳שכ״ט 7th 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 5329Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Spanish ruler Philip II ordered inquisitorial tribunals established in Mexico and Peru, extending centralized religious prosecution across the Atlantic.

ז׳ בשבט ה׳שכ״ט 7th 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 5329: Spanish ruler Philip II ordered inquisitorial tribunals established in Mexico and Peru, extending centralized religious prosecution across the Atlantic.25

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5329-11-20Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Spanish ruler Philip II instructed authorities in Peru to support the Inquisition and provide the facilities through which it would exercise coercive power.

5329-11-20: Spanish ruler Philip II instructed authorities in Peru to support the Inquisition and provide the facilities through which it would exercise coercive power.26

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5330-11-23Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The Inquisition was ceremonially installed at Lima, extending its system of compulsory religious conformity into the viceroyalty.

5330-11-23: The Inquisition was ceremonially installed at Lima, extending its system of compulsory religious conformity into the viceroyalty.27

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ג׳ בכסלו ה׳שמ״ב 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Kislev, AM 5342Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The tribunal at Lima sentenced Manuel Upez to imprisonment and property seizure, and Diego de la Rosa to exile, over allegations of observing יהדות YAHADUT.

ג׳ בכסלו ה׳שמ״ב 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Kislev, AM 5342: The tribunal at Lima sentenced Manuel Upez to imprisonment and property seizure, and Diego de la Rosa to exile, over allegations of observing יהדות YAHADUT. Neither was executed.28

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5357-09-17Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Authorities executed Luis de Carvajal el Mozo, his mother, three sisters and other Conversos in Mexico after prosecuting their observance of יהדות YAHADUT.

5357-09-17: Authorities executed Luis de Carvajal el Mozo, his mother, three sisters and other Conversos in Mexico after prosecuting their observance of יהדות YAHADUT.29

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ט״ו בתמוז ה׳שצ״ב 15th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5392Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The Inquisition condemned seven people accused of observing יהדות YAHADUT at a royal-attended auto-da-fé in Madrid; secular authorities subsequently burned them.

ט״ו בתמוז ה׳שצ״ב 15th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5392: The Inquisition condemned seven people accused of observing יהדות YAHADUT at a royal-attended auto-da-fé in Madrid; secular authorities subsequently burned them.30

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י״ח בשבט ה׳שצ״ט 18th 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 5399Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The tribunal at Lima delivered eleven living Conversos to secular authorities for execution; another condemned person was represented by an effigy.

י״ח בשבט ה׳שצ״ט 18th 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 5399: The tribunal at Lima delivered eleven living Conversos to secular authorities for execution; another condemned person was represented by an effigy.31

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כ״א בתמוז ה׳ת״ד 21st 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5404Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The Inquisition had Don Lope de Vera y Alarcon burned alive in Valladolid after six years of imprisonment and his refusal to abandon יהדות YAHADUT.

כ״א בתמוז ה׳ת״ד 21st 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5404: The Inquisition had Don Lope de Vera y Alarcon burned alive in Valladolid after six years of imprisonment and his refusal to abandon יהדות YAHADUT.32

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ג׳ בתמוז ה׳ת״מ 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5440Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Spanish ruler Carlos II attended a royal auto-da-fé in Madrid with María Luisa de Orleans and Mariana of Austria.

ג׳ בתמוז ה׳ת״מ 3rd 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5440: Spanish ruler Carlos II attended a royal auto-da-fé in Madrid with María Luisa de Orleans and Mariana of Austria. Court ceremony publicly endorsed inquisitorial judgment.33

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5451-02-07Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The Inquisition at Palma condemned Conversos in the third of four proceedings that year.

5451-02-07: The Inquisition at Palma condemned Conversos in the third of four proceedings that year. Rafael Valls, Catalina Terongí and Rafael Benito Terongí were sentenced to be burned alive.34

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5559-05, approximatelyPrecision: range · Basis: not-assessed

The Inquisition at Seville concluded Lorenzo Beltrán’s proceeding, according to Méndez Bejarano, imposing flogging, confinement, forced labor and banishment.

5559-05, approximately: The Inquisition at Seville concluded Lorenzo Beltrán’s proceeding, according to Méndez Bejarano, imposing flogging, confinement, forced labor and banishment.35

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ח׳ בתמוז ה׳תקצ״ד 8th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5594Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Spanish regent María Cristina issued the decree definitively abolishing the Inquisition, after earlier suppressions and restorations.

ח׳ בתמוז ה׳תקצ״ד 8th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 5594: Spanish regent María Cristina issued the decree definitively abolishing the Inquisition, after earlier suppressions and restorations.36

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An auto-da-fé was a public ceremony announcing judgments and punishments, not a synonym for execution. Imprisonment, forced identification, exile and property seizure also enforced religious submission.37

Footnotes

  1. Lea, History of the Inquisition of Spain, vol. 1, chapters III–IV ↩
  2. Salgado, Rethinking the Coloniality of Race, ↩
  3. Salgado, Rethinking the Coloniality of Race, ↩
  4. Cordova, Jewish Encyclopedia, ↩
  5. Segovia, Jewish Encyclopedia, The companion preserves a competing 1473 dating. ↩
  6. Lea, History of the Inquisition of Spain, vol. 1, 157–159 ↩
  7. Escudero López, Los orígenes, 246 ↩
  8. Lea, History of the Inquisition of Spain, vol. 1, 160–161 ↩
  9. Lea, History of the Inquisition of Spain, vol. 1, 161 ↩
  10. Popes, The, Jewish Encyclopedia, ↩
  11. Lea, History of the Inquisition of Spain, vol. 1, 172–173 ↩
  12. Martínez Díez, pontiffs and Inquisition, 95–96 ↩
  13. Lea, History of the Inquisition of Spain, vol. 1, 236–237 ↩
  14. PARES, Pedro Arbués, ↩
  15. Aragon archive, death record for Pedro Arbués, ↩
  16. Fita, Relación contemporánea, 294–297 ↩
  17. Fita, Relación contemporánea, 301–303 ↩
  18. Menéndez Pelayo, Historia de los heterodoxos españoles, ↩
  19. Fita, Relación contemporánea, 305–306 ↩
  20. Menéndez Pelayo, Estudios sobre el teatro de Lope de Vega, ↩
  21. Gottheil and Kayserling, Guardia, La, the Holy Child of, ↩
  22. Alhambra Decree, English translation, ↩
  23. Alhambra Decree, English translation, ↩
  24. UNAM, episcopal Inquisition, XIX ↩
  25. Medina, Lima foundation, ↩
  26. Medina, Lima foundation, opening chapter, notes 6–7 ↩
  27. UNAM, episcopal Inquisition, XX ↩
  28. Lea, proceedings at Lima. ↩
  29. INAH, Carvajal manuscripts, ↩
  30. Madrid historical collection on the 1632 auto-da-fé, ↩
  31. Montesinos, Auto de la fe, celebrado en Lima, ↩
  32. Vera y Alarcon, Lope de, Jewish Encyclopedia, ↩
  33. Museo del Prado, 1680 auto-da-fé, ↩
  34. Garau, La fee triunfante, third auto ↩
  35. Méndez Bejarano, Historia de la judería de Sevilla, chapter XX ↩
  36. Andalusian archives, abolition, ↩
  37. Fita, Relación contemporánea, 294–303 ↩