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Spanish Inquisition Timeline

(1478 - 1834)

The Spanish Inquisition was a judicial institution established by the Catholic Monarchs in Spain during the late 15th century. This timeline provides an overview of the key dates and facts related to the Inquisition. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Establishment and Early Years

Establishment of the Spanish Inquisition

1478

The Spanish Inquisition was established in 1478 by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Its purpose was to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms and to consolidate their power. The Inquisition targeted individuals suspected of holding heretical beliefs or engaging in practices contrary to Catholic teachings. Its methods included secret trials, torture, and execution. The Spanish Inquisition lasted until 1834.

Spanish Inquisition extended to the Americas

1569

Spanish Inquisition extended to the Americas

The Spanish Inquisition reaches its peak

1600

The Spanish Inquisition reaches its peak (1600).

Pope Innocent XI restricts the Inquisition's powers

1682

Pope Innocent XI restricts the Inquisition's powers (1682)

Persecution and Trials

First auto-da-fé held in Seville

1481

The First auto-da-fé held in Seville took place in 1481. It was a public ceremony organized by the Spanish Inquisition where those accused of heresy were put on trial and sentenced. The event marked the beginning of a series of auto-da-fés held throughout Spain during the Spanish Inquisition.

Conversos targeted by the Inquisition

1492

Conversos targeted by the Inquisition (1492)

The Index of Forbidden Books established

1559

The Index of Forbidden Books, also known as the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, was a list of books that were prohibited by the Catholic Church. It was established in 1559 by Pope Paul IV and was intended to protect Catholic doctrine and prevent the spread of heretical ideas. The Index included books that were considered to be immoral, heretical, or dangerous to faith and morals. The list was regularly updated and books that appeared on it were banned from being printed, sold, or read by Catholics. The Index was abolished in 1966 by Pope Paul VI.

Execution of Giordano Bruno

1600

Giordano Bruno, an Italian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, is burned at the stake by the Roman Inquisition in Rome. He was accused of heresy for his radical beliefs, including the idea of multiple worlds and the infinity of the universe.

Galileo Galilei's trial by the Inquisition

1633

Galileo Galilei's trial by the Inquisition occurred in 1633. Galileo was charged with heresy for promoting the Copernican heliocentric model of the universe, which contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church. After a trial, Galileo was found guilty and sentenced to house arrest for the rest of his life.

Key Figures and Leaders

Torquemada appointed as Grand Inquisitor

1483

Tomas de Torquemada is appointed as the first Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition.

Expulsion and Impact

Expulsion of Jews from Spain

1492

In 1492, during the Spanish Inquisition, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand issued the Alhambra Decree, which ordered the expulsion of Jews from Spain. This event resulted in the forced departure of thousands of Jewish people from the country, with many seeking refuge in other countries.

The Alhambra Decree issued

1492

The Alhambra Decree, also known as the Edict of Expulsion, was issued by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I of Spain on March 31, 1492. This decree ordered the expulsion of all Jews from the Kingdom of Spain and its territories. It gave the Jewish population just four months to leave, with the alternative being conversion to Catholicism. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of Spain and the Jewish diaspora.

Expulsion of Muslims from Spain

1609

The Expulsion of Muslims from Spain, also known as the Morisco Expulsion, refers to the mass expulsion of Muslims from the Kingdom of Spain between 1609 and 1614. The expulsion was a result of conflicts between Muslims and Christians, as well as the desire of the Spanish monarchy to establish religious and ethnic homogeneity in the country. Muslims who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled from Spain, while those who converted were often subjected to persecution and discrimination.

Suppression of the Moriscos

1609

The Suppression of the Moriscos refers to the expulsion or forced conversion of the Muslim population in Spain in the early 17th century. In 1609, King Philip III signed a decree to expel all Moriscos from the country, resulting in the largest forced migration in Spanish history. This event marked the end of Islamic presence in Spain and had significant social, economic, and cultural implications for the country.

Expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain

1767

The expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain was a political move initiated by King Carlos III of Spain in 1767, as part of a wider campaign against the power and influence of the Catholic Church. The Jesuits were accused of practicing secret rituals, engaging in political conspiracies, and amassing wealth beyond their means. On April 2, 1767, the Jesuits were forcibly expelled from Spain and their assets were confiscated by the crown. This event had a significant impact on the Catholic Church in Spain and marked the beginning of a period of secularization in the country.

End of the Inquisition

Abolition of the Spanish Inquisition

1834

The Abolition of the Spanish Inquisition was a law passed on July 15, 1834 that officially put an end to the Spanish Inquisition. This law was part of a series of liberal reforms implemented by the Spanish government, aimed at modernizing the country and promoting religious tolerance. The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478, had been a powerful institution that conducted trials and persecuted individuals accused of heresy, blasphemy, and other religious offenses. However, by the 19th century, the influence and relevance of the Inquisition had greatly diminished, and its practices were seen as outdated and oppressive. The law of 1834 effectively abolished the Inquisition, although some remnants of its influence and structure remained in place for several more years.

Key Facts

  1. The Spanish Inquisition was established by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile in 1478.
  2. Its main purpose was to identify and eradicate heresy, with a focus on Jews, Muslims, and conversos (Jews who had converted to Christianity).
  3. The Inquisition used torture and other harsh methods to extract confessions from suspects.
  4. The Alhambra Decree of 1492 forced Jews in Spain to convert to Christianity or leave the country.
  5. The Spanish Inquisition officially ended in 1834.

Source

This Spanish Inquisition timeline was generated with the help of AI using information found on the internet.

We strive to make these timelines as accurate as possible, but occasionally inaccurates slip in. If you notice anything amiss, let us know at [email protected] and we'll correct it for future visitors.

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