Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition: A HistorySabatini, Rafael
History
Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition: A History
Sabatini, Rafael
Inquisition -- Spain; Torquemada, Tomás, de, 1420-1498
The wearing of the _sanbenito_, too, was a custom that had fallen
somewhat into desuetude. But the ascetic Torquemada was not the man
to allow a form of penance accounted so very salutary to continue
neglected. He revived and extended the use of it, adding innovations
of his own, so that it came to be imposed not only upon condemned
heretics, but upon the reconciled--other than self-delators--and upon
suspects, who were required to wear it during the abjuration ceremony.
This odious garment, its origin and history, shall presently be more
fully considered.
ARTICLE VII
As the crime of heresy is a very heinous one, it is desired
that the reconciled may realize by the penances imposed
upon them how gravely they have offended and sinned against
Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, as it is our aim to treat them
very mercifully and kindly, pardoning them from the pain of
fire and perpetual imprisonment, and leaving them all their
property should they, as has been said, come to confess their
errors within the appointed time of grace, the inquisitors
shall, in addition to the penances imposed upon the said
reconciled, order them to bestow as alms a certain portion of
their property, according to the position of the penitent and
the gravity of the crimes confessed. These pecuniary penances
shall be applied for the Holy War which the most serene
Sovereigns are making upon the Moors of Granada, enemies of
our Holy Catholic Faith, and to other pious works that may
be undertaken. For just as the said heretics and apostates
have offended against Our Lord and His Holy Faith, so, after
re-incorporation in the Church, it is just that they should
bear pecuniary penances for the defence of the Holy Faith.
These pecuniary penances shall be at the discretion of the
inquisitors; but they shall be guided by the tariff given
them by the Reverend Father Prior of Holy Cross (_i.e._ by
Torquemada).
It was no inconsiderable proportion of their property that was required
of them, as may be seen from the penance of “alms” for the war against
Granada imposed upon those who were reconciled in Toledo two years
later; one-fifth of their property being demanded.[88]
ARTICLE VIII
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