The History and Romance of Crime FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY [Illustration] THE GROLIER SOCIETY LONDON [Illustration] Spanish Prisons THE INQUISITION AT HOME AND ABROAD PRISONS PAST AND PRESENT _by_ MAJOR ARTHUR GRIFFITHS _Late Inspector of Prisons in Great Britain_ _Author of "The Mysteries of Police and Crime "Fifty Years of Public Service," etc._ _The Inquisitor-General and the Catholic Sovereigns_ The mandate of expulsion of the Jews from Spain was issued by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. This edict no doubt originated with Torquemada, who was very bitter against the Jews. When he learned that a number of their leaders were in conference with the King and Queen, and offering an immense ransom, Torquemada rushed into the presence bearing a crucifix on high and crying in stentorian tones that the sovereigns were about to act the part of Judas Iscariot. "Here He is!" he exclaimed. "Sell Him again, not for thirty pieces of silver, but for thirty thousand!" and flinging the crucifix on the table he ran out in a frenzy. This turned the tables and the decree for expulsion was confirmed. THE GROLIER SOCIETY Spanish Prisons THE INQUISITION AT HOME AND ABROAD PRISONS PAST AND PRESENT _by_ MAJOR ARTHUR GRIFFITHS _Late Inspector of Prisons in Great Britain_ _Author of "The Mysteries of Police and Crime "Fifty Years of Public Service," etc._ [Illustration] THE GROLIER SOCIETY EDITION NATIONALE Limited to one thousand registered and numbered sets. NUMBER 307 INTRODUCTION A considerable portion of this volume is devoted to the Spanish Inquisition, which was, for three centuries, the most important force in Spain. Thousands were condemned by its tribunals, and its prisons and punishments make up a large part of the penal history of that country. Much exaggeration has crept into the popular accounts, but the simple truth must cause a shudder, when read to-day.