Spanish Inquisition
Medieval Catholic tribunal
The Spanish Inquisition was a tribunal established by Catholic monarchs in 1478 to enforce religious orthodoxy, notorious for prosecuting heresy through torture, forced confessions, and public executions.
It targeted converted Jews and Muslims suspected of secretly practicing their faiths.
The phrase has become shorthand for unexpected interrogation or excessive questioning: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, from the Monty Python sketch that made the phrase iconic.
Notorious Spanish religious enforcer
- auto-da-féInquisition execution ritual
- Alhambra DecreeSpanish order banishing Jews
- ReconquistaIberian Christian territorial recovery
- Catholic MonarchsIberian royal couple's title
Belief opposing official doctrine
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- inquisitorsThose who investigate beliefs
- witch-huntPersecution of supposed subversives
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
blasphemy · stake · burning · dungeon · rack · confession · denunciation · informants
Papal Christian denomination
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
excommunication · papacy · ecclesiastical · clergy · faith · conversion · piety · theology
Intolerance toward differing views
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- dogmatismUnyielding adherence to doctrine
sectarianism · religious persecution · ethnic cleansing · forced conversion · expulsion · discrimination · exclusion · conformity
Trial venue or sports surface
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
evidence · verdict · prosecution · defendant · witness · sentence · conviction · acquittal
British surreal comedy troupe
- comedy sketchBrief comedic performance piece
- memeShared online humor
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
Torquemada
Notorious Spanish religious enforcer
- auto-da-féInquisition execution ritual
- Alhambra DecreeSpanish order banishing Jews
- ReconquistaIberian Christian territorial recovery
Catholic Monarchs · Isabella I · limpieza de sangre · expulsion
heresy
Belief opposing official doctrine
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- inquisitorsThose who investigate beliefs
- witch-huntPersecution of supposed subversives
apostasy · blasphemy · stake · burning · dungeon · rack · confession · denunciation · informants · secret trials
Catholicism
Papal Christian denomination
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
dogma · excommunication · papacy · ecclesiastical · clergy · faith · conversion · piety · theology · creed
bigotry
Intolerance toward differing views
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
dogmatism · sectarianism · religious persecution · ethnic cleansing · forced conversion · expulsion · discrimination · exclusion · conformity · suppression
court
Trial venue or sports surface
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
testimony · evidence · verdict · prosecution · defendant · witness · sentence · conviction · acquittal · denunciation
Monty Python
British surreal comedy troupe
- comedy sketchBrief comedic performance piece
- memeShared online humor
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- religious trialsheresy trial, religious court, Salem witch trials, church court, Salem trials
- Philip IIPhilip II, Armada, Battle of Lepanto, Alba, Counter-Reformation
- European HistoryFrench Revolution, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Holy Roman Empire, Industrial Revolution
- Early ModernRenaissance, 1500s, 1600s, Reformation, sixteenth century
- Spanish HistoryReconquista, conquistadors, Catholic Monarchs, Isabella, Ferdinand
- 1400s EuropeLeonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, printing press, Columbus, Ferdinand
Spanish Inquisitionfair trial
Impartial judicial proceeding
due process · habeas corpus · presumption of innocence · rule of law · open court
Spanish Inquisitionreligious tolerance
Acceptance of differing faiths
Edict of Nantes · ecumenism · separation of church and state · interfaith dialogue · religious liberty
Spanish Inquisitionsanctuary
Protected sacred space
amnesty · refuge · asylum · safe haven · Underground Railroad