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Spanish Inquisition facts for kids

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Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Spain
Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición
Spanish Inquisition
Coat of arms or logo
Seal for the Tribunal in Spain
Type
Type
Tribunal under the election of the Spanish monarchy, for upholding religious orthodoxy in their realm
History
Established 1 November 1478
Disbanded 15 July 1834
Seats Consisted of a Grand Inquisitor, who headed the Council of the Supreme and General Inquisition, made up of six members. Under it were up to 21 tribunals in the empire.
Elections
Grand Inquisitor and Suprema designated by the crown
Meeting place
Spanish Empire
Footnotes
See also:
Medieval Inquisition
Portuguese Inquisition
Mexican Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition was a tribunal started in 1478 in Spain. It was started by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, with the assistance of Tomás de Torquemada. During the Spanish Inquisition many people were burnt in front of crowds in the streets. In practice, the Spanish Inquisition served to consolidate power in the monarchy of the newly unified Spanish kingdom, but it achieved that end through infamously brutal methods.

The rulers of Spain asked the Pope to start the Inquisition to catch Jews who pretended to be Christians. In 1492 they commanded all Jews to leave Spain. Many left, but many stayed and said they were Christians. The Inquisition became busy deciding which ones were lying. In 1502 the Muslims were also ordered out. Some parts of Spain actually enforced this order. When Protestants appeared, the Inquisition said they were just pretending to be Christians. Most trials ended with the defendant simply giving up his beliefs and being let go.

The Inquisition became less active in later years and was completely abolished in 1834.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Inquisición española para niños

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