Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts
by Andrew Dickson White · English · Gutenberg #41733 · 415,303 chars · public domain (US)
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States,
you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located
before using this eBook.
Title: Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts
Author: Andrew Dickson White
Release date: December 29, 2012 [eBook #41733]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41733
Credits: Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
produced from scanned images of public domain material
from the Google Print project.)Attn: Chuck
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECORDS OF THE SPANISH INQUISITION, TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS ***
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
produced from scanned images of public domain material
from the Google Print project.)Attn: Chuck
[Every attempt has been made to replicate the original book as printed.
Some typographical errors have been corrected. {A list follows the text}
No attempt has been made to correct or normalize the printed accentuation
or spelling of spanish names or words. (etext transcriber’s note)
RECORDS
OF THE
SPANISH INQUISITION,
TRANSLATED FROM THE
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS.
BOSTON:
SAMUEL G. GOODRICH, 141 WASHINGTON STREET.
MDCCCXXVIII.
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, _to wit_:
_District Clerk’s Office._
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twentysixth day of May, A. D. 1828,
in the fiftysecond year of the Independence of the UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, _Samuel G. Goodrich_, of the said district, has deposited
in this office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as
proprietor, in the words following, _to wit_;
‘Records of the Spanish Inquisition, translated from the Original
Manuscripts.’
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States,
entitled ‘An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the
copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors
of such copies, during the time therein mentioned;’ and also to an
act entitled ‘An act supplementary to an act, entitled, an act for
the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps,
charts, and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies
during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits
thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical
and other prints.’
JNO. W. DAVIS,
_Clerk of the District of Massachusetts_.
EXAMINER PRESS.
Hiram Tupper, Printer--Bromfield Lane.
PREFACE.
The manner in which the originals of the following work came into the
hands of the translator may be described in a few words. These papers
are a part of the Records of the Inquisition of Barcelona, and were
obtained during the revolution which broke out at Cadiz in 1819.
The province of Catalonia, of which Barcelona is the capital, was one of
the most forward and zealous to embrace the cause of freedom. Its
inhabitants have, in all times, been distinguished for their daring and
determined spirit, and their ardent love of liberty. The revolution
moved with rapid strides from the Isle of Leon to the Ebro. On the
twentyeighth of February, 1820, the governor of Tarragona received a
summons to repair immediately to Madrid, and in a few days the
insurrection burst out in the former place. On the fourteenth of March,
two days after this, it exploded at Barcelona.
The first movement of the revolutionary party was to depose the Captain
General of the province. This office was then held by Castañas, a
royalist. His predecessor was General Villacampa, an officer of some
distinction, who had been deprived of the captain-generalship, and
banished to Mataró, a small town on the coast, for his attachment to
liberal principles. Castañas was forced to resign, and Villacampa was
conducted in triumph from his place of banishment to Barcelona, and
reinstated in his dignity by the populace.
The government of the city being revolutionized, their next thoughts
were directed to the Inquisition, the great engine of priestly
oppression, and the object of dread and detestation to the friends of
liberty, both political and religious. The vast and gloomy piles of
this tribunal, which covered a spot of more than ten times the extent of
the Massachusetts State Prison, had been too long the terror of the
oppressed and restless Catalonians to escape distinguished notice on
this occasion. The populace demanded, with loud cries, of the Captain
General, that the Inquisitorial Palace should be thrown open. What
answer was given by Villacampa to this demand, does not appear. A body
of twenty thousand persons rushed to the Inquisition, stormed at the
gates, and demanded admittance. Those within told them to wait a few
minutes and the gates should be opened. This interval they improved to
make their escape, and in a short time the populace, growing impatient,
burst the gates and rushed in.
Every part of the premises was immediately filled. The dungeons were
broken open; the prisoners released, and the papers cast out at the
windows. For several days these were thrown in great numbers about the
streets of the city, and a small portion of them, after passing through
various hands, came into the possession of a gentleman of this city, who
at that period was travelling in Spain. These papers were forwarded to
Boston in 1820.
It was thought that a publication of these documents would be received
with much interest and satisfaction by the community, as nothing of the
kind has ever before seen the light. There are indeed some authentic and
well written compilations relating to this subject, as well as a few
narratives given by persons who have been imprisoned in the dungeons of
the Holy Office; but a copious and minute detail of the forms and
proceedings observed in the trials and investigations of the
Inquisitorial Tribunal, such as is afforded in the following pages, has
never, till this moment, existed in print. Should the Holy Office again
rear its head in Spain, perhaps the Fiscal and Calificadores might do
the publisher and Translator of this work the honor to take some notice
of their labors. It is to be hoped, however, that these most illustrious
and apostolical Señores may not very soon have occasion to obtain for
either of us any such notoriety.
Boston, June, 1828.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE INQUISITION.
This establishment had its origin in the endeavours of the Roman
pontiffs for the suppression of heresy. In the year 1184, Pope Lucius
II., alarmed at the appearance of the new religious sects in Dauphiny
and Provence, called a great council at Verona, where a severe decree
was issued against them, and the power of the secular princes called to
aid in their discovery and punishment. In this decree we perceive the
embryo of the Inquisition, although its proper foundation is commonly
fixed some years later.[1]
It was in France, in the year 1208, that it was first established, and
took a distinct character under the direction of Pope Innocent III., who
despatched legates into that country, with a power independent of the
bishops, to persecute the heretics with the assistance of the secular
arm. The unfortunate Albigenses, the objects of this persecution, were
extirpated with fire and sword, and the death of thousands by massacres,
tortures, and the funeral pile, signalized the commencement of the
Inquisition.[2]
This was in the reign of Philip Augustus, during which the Inquisition
appears not to have been in exercise beyond the limits of Provence and
Languedoc; but in 1255, at the request of Louis IX., it was established
by the papal authority throughout the whole kingdom, with the exception
of the territories of the Count of Poitiers and Toulouse.[3] It did not
however, obtain any permanent footing here, although the exact period of
its discontinuance is not easy to ascertain. In 1560, the Cardinal of
Lorraine made an effectual attempt to introduce it into France against
the Protestants, which is the last time we find it mentioned in
connexion with the history of that country.[4]
In 1224, it was established by Pope Honorius II. in all the States of
Italy, except Venice and Naples. In 1289, it was established at
Venice.[5] It appears to have been in existence in the kingdom of Naples
as early as 1269.[6] There is no very frequent mention of it in the
histories of that period, and we may conclude that it did not assume
that sanguinary character in these countries, which marked its first
existence on the other side of the Alps. It disappeared from all these
parts, except the Papal States, before completing a long career.
It was in Spain that this terrible tribunal was destined to obtain the
firmest footing, and exercise the bloodiest sway. Its establishment in
this country may be dated at the year 1232, and it gradually made its
way into all the principalities of which this kingdom is composed,
though not without a bloody resistance on the part of the inhabitants,
who entertained the utmost horror of the Inquisition, and killed many of
the Dominican Friars, who were its chief ministers, and the instruments
of its establishment.[7] In 1481, upon the union, under Ferdinand and
Isabella, of the Kingdom of Castile and Arragon, the inquisitorial
constitution was reformed and modified, with respect to its various
limits of territorial jurisdiction, and also by the introduction of new
and severe statutes and rules. This was called the _modern_
Inquisition,[8] and the pretext for its establishment was the
persecution of the converted Jews, who were suspected of relapsing to
their former faith. It afterwards took under its cognizance other
heresies, and some civil offences. It is very clear that the people felt
a decided aversion to it, which they manifested in violent tumults.
Nevertheless force and terror overcame their resistance, and the
domineering spirit of the Pope, the avarice of Ferdinand, and the
fanaticism of the monks, succeeded in fastening the iron yoke of the
Inquisition upon the necks of the Spaniards. It ran an uninterrupted
career until abolished by Napoleon on the fourth of December, 1808.
The circumstances of its introduction into Portugal are too curious to
be omitted. About the year 1540, there was in Spain, a monk of the name
of Saavedra, who forged apostolic bulls, royal decrees, and bills of
exchange, with so much accuracy, that they passed with every one for
genuine. He succeeded so well as to pass himself off for a knight and
commander of the military order of St Jago, the income of which,
amounting to three thousand ducats, he received for the space of a year
and a half. In a short time he acquired, by means of the royal deeds
which he counterfeited, three hundred and sixty thousand ducats.
With a little prudence he might have remained undetected through life,
but his successes tempted him to undertakings which led to his
discovery. He fell in company with a Jesuit travelling to Portugal, with
an apostolic brief for the foundation there of a college of that order.
These two concerted measures for introducing the Inquisition as well as
the Jesuits into Portugal. Saavedra forged letters from Charles V. to
the King of Portugal, and a papal bull establishing the Inquisition in
that country. This bull appointed Saavedra legate _a latere_ for the
purpose.
This daring and brazenfaced impostor then took upon him the character
and costume of a Roman cardinal. He travelled with litters, silver
dishes, and a train of attendants, levying money on his course by
forging bonds. He sent his secretary to Lisbon with his bull and papers
to prepare for his reception. The king despatched to the frontiers a
distinguished nobleman to receive him, and he made his entry into
Lisbon, where he spent three months, and was treated with the highest
respect. He afterwards travelled through the kingdom, and completed the
business for which he had made his visit. He was at last detected by the
Inquisitor General of Spain and arrested. After a trial by the
Inquisition, he was sentenced to the gallies for ten years. The king
added nine years more to the period. Almost all the establishments made
by him in Portugal, were retained under the pretence that the Holy
Office was necessary to persecute the Jews.
It has been the endeavour of the Spanish monarchs to extend it to every
country under their dominion. The Emperor Charles V., whose zeal for the
Inquisition has procured him the title of the Don Quixote of the Faith,
established it in the Netherlands in 1522, and vast multitudes, who had
embraced the Reformed religion, perished on its funeral piles. This
bloody persecution was one of the means of exciting the revolt by which
Holland was freed from the Spanish yoke.[9] An attempt was also made by
him to introduce it into Naples, but it encountered the most determined
opposition. The Neapolitans rose in insurrection, massacred the
Spaniards, and obliged the emperor to give over the project. About the
time of its appearance in the Netherlands it was also established in the
Spanish dominions in America. The first _autos de fe_ were celebrated at
Lima in 1639.[10] The Portuguese carried it into their East Indian
Colonies, fixing it at Goa in 1559.[11] In Brazil, however, it has never
existed.
The modern history of the Inquisition must be familiar to every reader.
Its abolition by Napoleon in 1808, its reestablishment under Ferdinand
VII. and its second overthrow by the Spanish people in 1820, are events
too well known to need a recapitulation here.
RECORDS OF THE SPANISH INQUISITION.
TRIAL OF PEDRO GINESTA, NATIVE OF THE VILLAGE OF ST QUINTI, IN THE
DIOCESE OF ST FLOR, FOR EATING BACON ON A PROHIBITED DAY
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the fourth day
of September, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, present, the
Inquisitor Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, officiating alone in his morning
audience; having examined the information received against Pedro
Ginesta, native of the village of St Quinti, diocese of St Flor, and
Joan Mella, of the village of St Maurion, parish of Xauvinar, diocese of
Clermont, in the kingdom of France, by occupation both braziers, the
same being in custody of the Commissioner of Salas in the prison of Agna
Villa,--ordered, that the abovementioned persons be transferred to the
secret prison of this palace of the Inquisition,[12] and that their
trial be instituted in form; also ordered, that the Commissioner
aforesaid be instructed to attest _ad perpetuam_ the evidence of the
witnesses, ascertain the identity of the persons whom they depose
against, and whether the said prisoners be the persons whom they charge
with having eaten bacon on St Bartholomew’s eve, notwithstanding the
prohibition; also that the said prisoners, after the business of the
deposition is despatched, be conveyed with care by the hands of the
several Familiars, to the prison of this Inquisition.
For which purpose let the necessary measures be taken.
Before me--
MATTHEO MAGRE, _Sec’y_.
* * * * *
In the town of Tremp, bishopric of Urgel, on the twentyfifth day of
August, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, in the morning, before
the Licenciate Joan Torroella, Presbyter Commissary of the Holy Office
of the Inquisition in the town of Salas,--appeared according to summons
and swore formally to declare the truth, a man who asserted his name to
be Joan Compte, a native and resident of the town of Talarn, in the
abovementioned bishopric, of age as he stated, fiftyfive years or
thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.
Questioned, if he knew or had heard that any person had spoken or done
anything which was, or appeared to be, contrary to our holy Catholic
Faith, and evangelical doctrine preached and taught by the holy Catholic
Roman Church, or against the just and free exercise of the Holy Office.
Answered, that he knew nothing of the matters respecting which he was
questioned, except that on the eve of St Bartholomew last, being in the
town of Timian in the abovementioned bishopric of Urgel, he went to the
tavern of Pitieu, and saw there a man, by occupation a brazier, with a
grey beard, which person was well known to the deponent, he having seen
and entertained him in the town of Calan, where he exercised his trade
and had labored for the deponent. The name of this person deponent did
not know, never having heard it mentioned. At the same place was a young
man whom the said brazier stated to be his journeyman. These two were
sitting at table and eating soup, which, being despatched, deponent saw
the said person empty an earthen dish of bacon and onions into a
frying-pan, and the said brazier asked deponent if he would eat with
him, to which he replied that it was the eve and fast of St Bartholomew,
at which time it was forbidden by the church to eat such food.
Notwithstanding this, the said brazier and his servant did, in the
presence of the deponent, eat the said bacon and onions, a small portion
of which was observed to remain in the dish. This remnant the said
persons placed on a piece of bread and presented it in a plate to the
hostess. This done, the brazier and his servant went away to the _plaza_
of the town, and deponent remained in the tavern with the hostess
abovementioned. This is the truth according to the oath of the witness,
and being read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly
written. Witness declares that he does not make this statement out of
malice to any one. Secrecy being enjoined upon him, he promised to
observe it; and he being unable to write, I, the said Commissary, sign
in his name.
JOAN TORROELLA, _Commissary_.
* * * * *
In the town of Semiana, bishopric of Urgel, on the twentyeighth day of
August, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, in the morning, before
the Rev. Sr. Licentiate Joan Torroella, Presbyter Commissary of the Holy
Office in the town of Salas, appeared according to summons and swore
formally to declare the truth, a woman calling herself Geronima Aymara,
wife of Pedro Aymar y Piteu, husbandman, native and resident of the town
of Semiana, of age, as she stated, forty years or thereabout.
Questioned, if she knew or conjectured the cause of her being summoned
to appear.
Answered, that she supposed it to be in order to learn whether some
persons had eaten flesh in her house on the eve of St Bartholomew the
Apostle, respecting which she could state, that on the time specified,
two persons had been at her house, of whose names she was ignorant, but
remembered that one was an old man and the other a youth, both by
occupation braziers; the said youth asked witness to cook for them a
dish of salted bacon which sat upon a table. Witness demanded in reply
why they wanted to eat bacon on that day. The young man repeated his
demand to have the bacon cooked for they meant to eat it. Witness
answered that she was unwilling, as it was at such a time. The young man
again demanded to have the bacon cooked, and told her to put onions
along with it in the pot. Whereupon witness proceeded to cook the bacon,
adding one _dinero’s_ worth of onions, which she bought for that
purpose. Having done this, she placed the victuals on the table before
the said persons, and at this moment entered Juan Compte of the town of
Talarn; as witness was baking on that day and was obliged to attend to
her oven, she did no more than set the victuals on the table before the
said persons, and being asked by Juan Compte for something to eat,
answered that he must wait till she returned from the oven, which he
did, and upon her return she found the above two persons at table, one
of whom ordered her to take away what remained of the meat, and witness
saw that there was left a bit of the bacon and a few mouthfuls of the
onions she had cooked, the bacon being thrust into a piece of bread.
After this the two persons aforesaid left the house, having been seen to
eat their meal by the abovementioned Joan Compte, who was present all
the time. Furthermore witness stated, that she believes she heard her
husband say, on the evening of the Wednesday before, that he heard the
above persons declare they meant to eat that piece of bacon, which they
had procured, the next day, which was St Bartholomew’s, as aforesaid,
and that her husband replied, they could not, as it was a fast. This is
the truth according to the oath of the witness, and being read in her
presence is declared by her to be correctly written. Witness further
states that she does not make this declaration out of malice to any one.
Secrecy being enjoined upon her, she promised to observe it; and she,
not being able to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in her name.
The Licentiate
JOAN TORROELLA, _Commissary_.
* * * * *
In the village of Sanserin, parish of Semiana, in the morning, before
the abovementioned Licentiate Commissary Joan Torroella, appeared
according to summons and swore formally to declare the truth, a woman
calling herself Isabel Ramoneda, wife of Pedro Ramoneda, husbandman, a
resident of the said village of Sanserin, of age, as she stated, thirty
years or thereabout.
Questioned, if she knew or conjectured the cause of her being summoned
to appear.
Answered, that she supposed it to be for the purpose of ascertaining
whether certain Gascons had eaten flesh in Semiana, on last St
Bartholomew’s eve, concerning which, she could state, that on Thursday
last, which was St Bartholomew’s day, there came to her house in the
evening a Gascon, whom she believes to be named Pedro, an old man, and
by trade a brazier. He had come, as he stated, from the town of
Semiana; and standing at the door of the house of this witness, there
passed by the servants of Francisco Rocabruna, apothecary of Semiana,
when the said Gascon demanded of the lads whether they knew if the young
man who had been apprehended at Semiana, was released, to which they
replied, ‘No,’ and cried out ‘Ha! Lutheran, eat meat on a fast day!’ The
lads having passed, he said to witness that he had been eating, and that
he was sorry or not sorry, witness does not remember which of the two.
No other person was present. This is the truth according to the oath of
the witness, and being read in her presence is declared by her to be
correctly recorded. Witness declares that she does not make this
statement out of malice towards any one. Secrecy being enjoined upon
her, she promised to observe it. She being unable to write, I, the said
Commissary, sign in her name.
The Licentiate
JOAN TORROELLA, _Commissary_.
* * * * *
In the village of Sanserin, on the same morning, appeared according to
summons and swore formally to declare the truth, a man calling himself
Juan Monco, husbandman, native and resident of the village
abovementioned, of age, as he stated, twenty years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of learning whether
certain Gascons had eaten flesh in the town of Semiana on the eve of St
Bartholomew last, concerning which he could state, that on the evening
of the said day of St Bartholomew, being near the house of Pedro
Ramonera, where there was a Gascon, whose name was unknown to the
witness, which Gascon was an old man, corpulent, and by trade a brazier,
there passed by the servant of the apothecary Rocabruna, of Tremp, whose
name is unknown to witness. This servant of Rocabruna was heard by the
deponent to say to the said Gascon, ‘Ha, Lutheran! eat flesh on a fast
day!’ And deponent heard the said Gascon reply, ‘Yes, I have
eaten,’--but does not know whether this was heard by the said servant of
Rocabruna. This is the truth according to the oath of the deponent; and,
being read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded.
Deponent further states that he does not make this declaration out of
malice to any one. Secrecy being enjoined upon him, he promised to
observe it; and being unable to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in
his name.
The Licentiate,
JOAN TORROELLA, _Commissary_.
* * * * *
In the town of Semiana, at the same time, before me the said Licentiate
and Commissary, Joan Torroella, appeared according to summons and swore
formally to declare the truth, a man calling himself Pedro Aymar y
Piteu, native and resident of the above town of Semiana, of age, as he
stated, fiftysix years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of learning whether
certain Gascons had eaten flesh in his house on the day of St
Bartholomew last, concerning which he had been informed by his wife that
the two Gascons referred to, had stopped at his house, and eaten meat on
that day. He furthermore stated that the said Gascons, whose names he
knew not, as he had never seen them before, being at supper at his house
the evening previous, which was Wednesday, one of the said Gascons being
an old, and the other a young man, both braziers,--the old man said to
the wife of the deponent that he meant to have some meat the next day,
which was St Bartholomew’s, and wished her to cook some salted bacon.
Whereupon deponent replied, they could not, as it was a fast. The old
man answered that they meant to eat notwithstanding, which induced the
deponent to believe that he had a license to eat meat, or had some
infirmity; on which account he made no more remonstrances, and on the
evening of the same day, returning home from his work, his wife informed
him that the Gascons had eaten meat, and that the old man had gone away,
and the young man was taken and carried to prison. This is the truth
according to the oath of the witness, and being read in his presence is
declared by him to be correctly recorded. Witness further states, that
he does not make this declaration out of malice to any one; and secrecy
being enjoined upon him, he promised to observe it. From his inability
to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in his name.
The Licentiate,
JOAN TORROELLA, _Commissary_.
* * * * *
On the seventeenth day of September, one thousand six hundred and
thirtyfive, at three o’clock in the afternoon, Pedro Ginesta, of
Auvergne, bishopric of St Flor, was by order of the Inquisitors put in
the secret prison of the Inquisition and intrusted to the care of P.
Fontanella, Alcayde of the said prison, who examined the prisoner and
allowed him nothing prohibited by his instructions. The articles found
upon him, were, two shirts, a pair of breeches, a purse, one _dinero_
and three _sueldos_, which have been given in charge to the Camara de
Pablo.
PEDRO FONTANELLA.
* * * * *
FIRST AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the eighteenth
day of September, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, the
Inquisitor, Doctor Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his morning audience,
ordered the prisoner to be brought from his cell; who, being produced,
was sworn to declare the truth on the present as well as on all other
occasions till the decision of his trial. He was also sworn to observe
secrecy with respect to everything which he might see, hear, or learn,
and everything which should befall him.
Questioned, what was his name, age, occupation, birthplace, residence,
and the period of his arrestation by this Holy Office.
Answered, that his name was Pedro Ginesta, by occupation a brazier,
native of the village of Orliach, bishopric of St Flor, in the kingdom
of France, residing at Orcan, in Catalonia, having exercised the trade
of a brazier in that country more than fourteen years, of age eighty
years or thereabout, and that he was arrested by a Commissary of the
Holy Office, yesterday, in the town of Salas.
Questioned, who was his father, grandfather, paternal and maternal, and
wife; who were his uncles, brothers, and children; what were their
occupations, birthplaces, and residences. [_Here follows a long account
of the prisoner’s relatives, in answer to the particulars specified._]
Questioned, what was the origin and descent of his ancestors and
collateral relatives, and whether any one of them had been punished or
put under penance by the Holy Office of the Inquisition.
Answered, that all his relatives were old Roman Catholic Christians,[13]
and that no one of them had ever been punished or sentenced by the Holy
Office up to the present day.
Questioned, if he was a baptized and confirmed Catholic, and made it a
practice to attend mass, go to confession, and receive the sacrament at
such times as are prescribed by the Holy Catholic Mother Church; at what
time he last attended mass, and from whom he received the holy
sacrament.
Answered, that he was a baptized and confirmed Christian, having by the
grace of God been baptized in the church of Santanti, metropolitan of
the suffragans of Caberna and other places, and that he knew himself to
have been confirmed by a bishop named Panlaza in the city of Huerca in
Arragon, or Poroteo, bishop of that kingdom, more than forty years
since, in the cathedral; that he remembered the fact of the
confirmation very well, being then of full age; that he hears mass every
Sunday and holiday, except when he is travelling; that he confesses and
communicates at every time fixed by the Holy Mother Church; that he has
certificates to this effect; that he believes the last time he confessed
was on Passion Week last, in the town of La Puente de Montania, to a
priest of that church; that he does not remember the name of the person
from whose hands he received the sacrament. The prisoner then made the
sign of the cross, invoking the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and
repeated the four prayers and general confession correctly in Latin, and
stated that he knew nothing more of the christian doctrine.
Questioned, if he could write, or read, or had studied any science or
faculty.
Answered, that he could neither write, nor read, nor had he studied any
science or art.
Questioned, if he had ever left the kingdoms of Spain since his first
arrival, or had any dealings with people of equivocal faith.
Answered, that he had exercised his trade of a brazier for more than
sixty years, in the kingdoms of Catalonia and Arragon, visiting at times
his home in France, where there are no Lutherans, nor any persons of
equivocal faith.
Questioned, what were the events of his life.
Answered, that he was born, as above stated, in the village of Orliach,
and remained with his father till twenty years of age assisting him in
his profession of a brazier; that he had passed his life in France,
Arragon, and Catalonia, his father having brought him while a boy into
this country, where he died, and left him, sixty years since, in the
town of Erla, near Gea, in Arragon, working all this time in various
places, where he became well known; that his wife had never been in
Spain at any time.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his imprisonment.
Answered, falling on his knees, weeping, and beating his breast, that he
had committed an offence against our Lord by eating bacon on the eve of
St Bartholomew in the village of Semiana, and that it was true he had
been told on the day previous, by the hostess of the house where it was
done, that the next day was a fast, but not remembering this intimation,
he had, while the hostess was gone out of the house to her oven, eaten
of the same in company with a certain youth of fourteen or fifteen years
of age, a native of the bishopric of Clermont in France, who had come to
work with him two days before; and that while they were eating, the
hostess returned and again reminded him that it was the fast of St
Bartholomew, and they ought not to eat it, upon which they immediately
abstained from eating; that they were both arrested and brought on the
road to Barcelona under guard of one man, the youth with his hands tied;
that on arriving near a wood he escaped notwithstanding the exertions
made by the guard, who raised the neighbourhood to search for him; and
if in this he had offended our Lord, he begged for pardon and mercy.
The prisoner was then informed, that, in this Holy Office, it was not
customary to apprehend any person without sufficient information that he
had said, done, or witnessed the commission of something really or
apparently offensive against God our Lord, or against his Holy Catholic
faith and evangelical law, taught and preached by the Holy Mother Roman
Church, or against the just and free exercise of the Holy Office;
consequently he was to understand that he was imprisoned on account of
some such information, and he was admonished on the part of God our
Lord, and the glorious and blessed Virgin Mary, to recollect himself and
confess his offences without concealing anything relating either to
himself or any other person, and without uttering false testimony
against any one; by doing all which, his trial should be dispatched with
all brevity, and decided with that mercy which is shown by the Holy
Office to all those who confess freely; otherwise, justice should be
executed.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say, and the above being read to
him, he declared it to be the truth according to the oath which he had
sworn, and that he had nothing to alter or diminish from what is therein
contained, and with this admonition, to bethink himself well, and
declare the truth, he was remanded to prison.
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
* * * * *
SECOND AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the nineteenth
day of September, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, the
Inquisitor, Doctor Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his morning audience,
presiding upon affairs of justice, ordered the above Pedro Ginesta to be
brought out of prison, which being done, and the prisoner present, he
was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair which he
was bound to divulge, with all truth, to discharge his conscience.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then admonished on the part of God our Lord, &c. [_The
whole repeated as above._]
Answered, that he had nothing more to say; and being admonished to
bethink himself well, and declare the truth, he was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
THIRD AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentieth
day of September, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, the
Inquisitor, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his morning audience,
ordered the above Pedro Ginesta to be brought from his prison, which
being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair which he
was bound to divulge, in all truth, and to discharge his conscience.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then informed that in the audiences which had already
been given, he had been admonished on the part of God our Lord, &c.
[_The whole repeated as before._]
Answered that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then notified that the Promotor Fiscal[14] of this Holy
Office had an accusation to bring against him, before which he would do
well to declare the whole truth, as he had already been admonished, in
which case, he would experience more fully the mercy which the Holy
Office ever extends to those who confess freely; otherwise the Fiscal
would attend and proceed to the accusation.
Straightway appeared Doctor Francisco Gregorio, Promoter Fiscal of this
Holy Office, and presented the accusation, signed by himself, against
the said Pedro Ginesta, making oath that it was not done out of malice;
which accusation was as follows:--
ACCUSATION.
I, Doctor Francisco Gregorio, Fiscal of this Holy Office, appear
before your Excellency, and accuse criminally, Pedro Ginesta,
brazier, a native of the village of Orliach, bishopric of St Flor,
in Ubernia, in the kingdom of France, resident in this
principality, attached to the secret prison of the Inquisition, and
now present,--stating that the said person, being a baptized and
confirmed Christian, and enjoying the graces and benefits which
such persons do and ought to enjoy, not having the fear of God
before his eyes, but regardless of his own conscience and the
justice administered by your Excellency, has committed offences
against our Holy Faith, by saying and performing things which
savour of the heretic Luther, in the manner following.
The said prisoner being in a certain part of the village of Semiana
in the bishopric of Urgel on the fast of St Bartholomew last, in
company with another certain person, did cause to be cooked a dish
of bacon and onions; and, being reminded to take heed, for it was a
fast, and such food was forbidden, replied by ordering the meat to
be cooked, and in fact when the said meat was cooked, did proceed
to eat the same, in company with the other person mentioned, and
notwithstanding he was informed by another person while eating,
that it was St Bartholomew’s day, and a fast, at which time it was
not allowed to eat such food, the said prisoner continued to eat
the remainder of the said bacon.
Furthermore, the said prisoner being of a nation infected with
heresy, it is presumed that he has on many other occasions eaten
flesh on forbidden days, after the manner of the sect of Luther,
and committed many other offences against our Holy Faith, besides
knowing that others have committed the same offences, and the said
prisoner having been admonished by your Excellency to declare the
truth, has not done it, but has perjured himself.
For which reasons I entreat your Excellency that full evidence
being given to my accusation, or to such a part of the same as
shall suffice for the ends of justice in the decision of the
present case, your Excellency will declare my accusation proved,
and the said Pedro Ginesta guilty of the above offences, imposing
upon him the heaviest punishments fixed by statute upon the said
offences, and ordering them to be executed upon his person and
goods, as a penalty to himself and an example to others; and that
the prisoner, if it be found necessary, be put to the torture, and
that the same be repeated till he confess the whole truth both of
himself and others.
And I formally swear that I do not bring this accusation out of
malice, but solely to accomplish the ends of justice, which I now
request at your hands.
DR FRANCISCO GREGORIO.
This accusation having been presented and read, the said Pedro Ginesta
was formally sworn to declare the truth in answer to every interrogatory
relating thereto. The accusation being read over, article by article, he
answered as follows:--
To the head of the accusation, he answered that he was the same Pedro
Ginesta whom the Fiscal accuses, but had never committed any offence
against our Holy Catholic Faith, nor done, nor said anything which
pertained to the sect of Luther or any other heresy.
To the first article he answered, confessing that he had eaten bacon and
onions on the said eve of St Bartholomew, and that although it was true
he had been reminded that it was a fast, he had forgotten it, and on
being again told of it while at his meal he immediately left off eating;
that the person who ate with him was a young man, son to Borbon
Merchante; that he did not do the above act out of disrespect to the
Church or its precepts, well knowing that it was forbidden to eat flesh
on such days, which regulation he had observed throughout his life, and
remained in the determination to observe, believing in all the doctrines
taught by the holy Catholic Roman Church. Here the prisoner fell upon
his knees and declared that he had offended through forgetfulness.
To the second article he answered, that he had never at any other time
committed the same offence, nor had he concealed the truth as to this
point, either respecting himself or his companion, being an obedient son
of the Church.
To the conclusion of the accusation, he answered that even if he were
put to the torture, he could not declare anything further, and that he
had offended, not from any bad intention, but through forgetfulness,
occasioned by his great age.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the prisoner, and being
read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded.
The Inquisitor,
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
The Inquisitor then ordered him a copy of the accusation that he might,
within three days, make arrangements for his trial and defence by
conferring and agreeing with one of the lawyers who are counsel for
those persons tried by the Holy Office, namely, Doctor Magrina, priest,
and Micar Morato, giving the prisoner liberty to make choice of either.
The prisoner made choice of Dr Magrina, on which the Inquisitor ordered
him to be summoned. The audience then closed, and the prisoner being
admonished was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR COMMUNICATION OF THE ACCUSATION AND EVIDENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentieth
day of September, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, the
Inquisitor, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his morning audience,
ordered the above Pedro Ginesta to be brought from prison, which being
done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything which he was bound to declare,
according to the oath he had sworn.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then informed that Dr Francisco Magrina, whom he had
selected for his counsel, was present, with whom he might confer, and
make arrangements for his defence.
Dr Francisco Magrina was then sworn _in verbo sacerdotis_, to defend
well and faithfully the said Pedro Ginesta, to inform him if his case
was not on the side of justice, to do everything which a good advocate
is bound to do, and to preserve secrecy throughout.
Then were produced and read, the several confessions of the said Pedro
Ginesta, made from the eighteenth of this month to the present time,
with the accusation, and the answers of the prisoner. These he examined,
and conferred with the prisoner respecting his case, counselling him, as
the best defence which could be made, to confess the whole truth, and if
he had been guilty of any offence, to beg for pardon; by which means, he
might obtain mercy.
The said Pedro Ginesta replied that he had declared the whole truth as
appeared by his confessions, that beyond this he denied everything
contained in the accusation, and in consequence begged to be acquitted
and set at liberty.
The Inquisitor then ordered a copy of the above to be given to the
Promoter Fiscal of the Holy Office, who declared, that, confining
himself to what he had stated in his accusation and to the matter
contained in the confession of the prisoner, he requested that they
might proceed to the proofs. The Inquisitor replied that the cause
should be judged definitively, and the proofs on both sides received
_salvo jure impertinentium et non admittendorum_, according to the style
of the Holy Office, and the same was notified to both parties.
The Promotor Fiscal then declared that he reproduced the testimony which
had been received and registered against the said Pedro Ginesta in this
Holy Office, which testimony he desired might be examined and ratified
in form; and also that all other necessary investigations might be made
and the testimony published; whereupon the audience closed, and the
prisoner being admonished to bethink himself well, and declare the
truth, was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE TESTIMONY.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the sixth day of
October, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta, being at his morning audience, ordered the above
Pedro Ginesta to be brought from the secret prison, which being done,
and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything which he was bound to declare
according to the oath he had sworn.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then informed that the Promotor Fiscal of the Holy
Office had requested a publication of the testimony against him, before
which it would be well for him to declare the whole truth, as this would
cause him to experience more benignity and mercy.
Answered, that he had nothing to add to his former confessions; that it
was true that he had eaten bacon on St Bartholomew’s eve, but had done
it through ignorance, not knowing it to be a fast; that he begged pardon
for his offence, having all the rest of his life conducted in a
different manner.
Straightway appeared the Promoter Fiscal and requested publication of
the testimony against the said Pedro Ginesta according to the style of
the Holy Office. The Inquisitor ordered the publication to be made,
concealing the names of the witnesses and other circumstances which
might cause their persons to be known, according to the orders and style
of the Holy Office, which was done in the manner following.
_Publication of the testimony against Pedro Ginesta, native of the
village of St Quinti, diocese of St Flor, in the kingdom of
France._
A certain witness, sworn and qualified in the proper time and manner in
the town of Tremp, bishopric of Urgel, on a certain day of the month of
August, in the present year sixteen hundred and thirtyfive--declares,
&c. [_Here follows the testimony of Joan Compte as given before._]
Another witness sworn and qualified in the proper time and manner in the
town of Semiana, &c. [_Here follows the testimony of Geronima Aymar._]
Another witness &c. [_All the other testimony repeated._]
The above testimony having been published, an oath was exacted from the
prisoner to declare the truth in answer to the testimony aforesaid,
article by article, and the same having been read to him _de verbo ad
verbum_, he answered as follows;--
To the first article he replied that it was true he had eaten the bacon,
but had done it through ignorance, having forgotten that it was St
Bartholomew’s eve, as he had already confessed, and that on being
apprised of the same, he had left off eating.
To the second article he answered that the hostess might possibly have
said what she states, but that he had no recollection of it.
To the third article he answered that he repeated his former declaration
that he was a Catholic Christian, and had he known it to be the fast of
St Bartholomew, should not have eaten upon any account.
To the fourth article he answered by referring to the confession which
he had already made, and declared that he did not remember having been
warned by any one.
To the fifth article he answered by referring to his confession, and
declared that beyond this he denied everything sworn to by the witness.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the prisoner, and the
same having been read in his hearing is declared by him to be faithfully
recorded,
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
Before me--
DAMIAN FONOLLEDA, _Sec’y_.
The Inquisitor then ordered the prisoner to be furnished with a copy of
the above publication, that he might, with the assistance of his
counsel, make arrangements for his defence, whereupon the prisoner was
admonished, and remanded to prison.
AUDIENCE TO COMMUNICATE THE PUBLICATION.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the ninth day of
October, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his morning audience, ordered the above
Pedro Ginesta to be brought from prison, which being done, and the
prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything which he was bound to declare in
discharge of his conscience, according to the oath he had sworn.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then informed that Doctor Francisco Magrina, his
counsel, was present, with whom he might communicate and take measures
for his defence. The publication of the testimony against the prisoner,
with his answers to the same, were then read to the said Dr Francisco
Magrina, who proceeded to confer with the prisoner about his defence.
Having done this he received from the hands of the prisoner a sheet of
paper, upon which he drew up articles of defence which were then read to
the prisoner and he declared that he made a formal presentation of the
same. Here follows the defence.
DEFENCE.
‘Although Pedro Ginesta, a native of France, and by trade a brazier, has
no necessity for any defence against the charges brought against him by
the Promotor Fiscal of this Holy Office, as may be clearly seen from the
testimony; nevertheless, for greater security, and with an express
declaration that his impeachment of the testimony of the witnesses
against him, is not occasioned by a desire to injure them, but solely to
defend himself, he states the following.
‘1st. He confesses that he has committed an offence, but denies that he
ought to receive any ordinary or extraordinary punishment for the same,
which is the truth, because,
‘2d. Although it be the fact that he ate meat on St Bartholomew’s eve
last, yet it is not the fact that he did it through malice, or from the
intention to transgress the ordinances of the Church; which declaration
is the truth.
‘3d. The said Pedro Ginesta has, in consequence of his occupation, spent
his life in travelling from one place to another, attending mass where
he happened to be on Sundays and holidays, not being able to give more
attention to the duties of religion; and in consequence has been
ignorant of the fast days, by not hearing them announced; which is the
truth.
‘4th. For this reason, and being ignorant that a fast was prescribed on
St Bartholomew’s day, he declares he should not have eaten, had he known
the same; which is the truth.
‘5th. Although it be true he was informed that he ought not to eat flesh
at that time, as it was St Bartholomew’s eve, yet those present suffered
him to eat, notwithstanding, and made no remonstrances; which is the
truth.
‘6th. The said Pedro Ginesta, besides being a person of simple
understanding, is very aged, being more than eighty years old, at which
time the memory is apt to fail, as old age is a _species infirmitatis_;
which is the truth.
‘7th. The said Pedro Ginesta did not offend through malice, but solely
from ignorance, _quod de jure excusari solet, et verum_.
‘8th. The said Pedro Ginesta, although a Frenchman by birth, is a good
Christian, and, as such, has always punctually adhered to every
obligation by which a good Christian is bound; which is the truth.
‘9th. On the above accounts, the said Pedro Ginesta ought to be
acquitted by your Excellency, and released from the prison in which he
is at present confined, experiencing mercy at your hands; _vel alias_,
‘10th. Ponit quod omnia et singulos jure vero, super quibus jus diei et
justitiam ministrari postulat, et verum.
F. MAGRINYA.
‘11th. The said Pedro Ginesta offers the above in his defence, and
concludes by asking for mercy.
F. MAGRINYA.’
* * * * *
This being presented to the Inquisitor, was by him ordered to be put on
file. It was likewise ordered that the same be notified to the Promoter
Fiscal of this Holy Office; whereupon the audience closed, and the
prisoner was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
SENTENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the sixteenth
day of October, one thousand six hundred and thirtyfive, at the morning
audience, present, the Inquisitor, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding
on his own part, and on the part of the Ordinary of the bishopric of
Urgel, and Dr Augustin Fernandez Lopez, Vicar General of the bishopric
of Barcelona. Having examined a trial carried on in this Holy Office,
against Pedro Ginesta, a Frenchman by birth, native of St Quinti or
Orliach, bishopric of St Flor, in Ubernia, a resident in Catalonia, in
the district of Pallas, arrested in the town of Tremp, and now in the
secret prison of this Holy Office, ordered, that in virtue of this act,
the said prisoner be reprehended, and admonished, and forthwith
released from prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, _Sec’y_.
* * * * *
In the same audience, the said Pedro Ginesta was ordered to be brought
from prison, which being done, and he present, the Inquisitor, Abbad y
Huerta reprehended and admonished him, in conformity to the above
sentence. The prisoner received the correction with humility, and
promised amendment; which I, the Secretary, hereby certify.
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
Straightway, in the same audience, the prisoner was sworn to declare the
truth; and he was
Questioned, &c.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say, either with respect to
himself or others, in discharge of his conscience, nor anything relating
to what had been said or done in the prison of this Holy Office against
the honor, dignity, or secrets of the same or its ministers, or with
respect to the custody of the prisoners therein contained; that he had
not witnessed any communication carried on among them, or knew that any
one had spoken to another; that he has no communication from them to
carry to any one, and that the Alcayde and Steward have faithfully
discharged their duties.
He was then commanded, by virtue of the oath he had sworn, and under
penalty of complete excommunication, to observe perfect secrecy with
respect to everything which had befallen him relating to his trial, and
with respect to all which he had seen, heard, or learned in any manner
while in prison, and not to reveal the same to any person, under any
shape whatever; all which he promised to observe, and being unable to
write, I, the Inquisitor, Abbad y Huerta, sign in his name; whereupon he
was dismissed.
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
On the 19th day of the same month, the Secretary Rodriguez dispatched a
letter to the Commissary of Salas in the name of the Tribunal, ordering
him to restore to the prisoner, on account of his poverty, the
instruments of his trade and his other property. The letter was sent by
the prisoner.
RODRIGUEZ.
TRIAL OF JUAN DURAN,
FOR BLASPHEMY AND WITCHCRAFT.
I, the Fiscal of this Holy Office, state that from information received,
it is made manifest that Juan Duran, blacksmith, a native of Manresa,
and a resident of Villaredonda, in the bishopric of Barcelona, has
committed offences against our holy faith; on which account, I purpose
to bring a formal accusation against him. For which reasons I request
your Excellency to order the said person to be arrested and confined in
the secret prison of this Inquisition, for the purpose of accomplishing
fully the ends of justice.
DR FRANCISCO GREGORIO.
* * * * *
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of
December, one thousand, six hundred and thirtytwo, the Inquisitors, Dr
Bernardo Luis Cotoner and Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, being at their
evening audience,--having examined the testification against Juan Duran,
blacksmith, a resident of Villaredonda in the bishopric of Barcelona;
ordered that the above person be arrested and confined in the secret
prison of this Inquisition, and that his trial be instituted in form.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
TO FRANCISCO COLL, COMMISSARY.
On the receipt of this, you will proceed to take prisoner, on the part
of this Holy Office, Juan Duran, blacksmith, a resident of this town,
for some days past, and formerly of Villaredonda. He is a tall, thin
faced, person; pale, with a chestnut beard, and meanly dressed; having
secured him, you will dispatch him, under good attendance, to this Holy
Office, by the hands of the Familiars, in such a manner that he cannot
escape, taking measures in all the places through which he may pass, to
let it be known he is apprehended by this Inquisition.
Also, if occasion should offer, you will sieze so much of the prisoner’s
property, if it be found in that town, as shall amount to eight ducats,
for the expense of his maintenance, which you will transmit by those who
have him in custody.
This letter is to be returned, with a statement of all that may be done
agreeably to the above orders, with respect to which we trust in the
guidance of our Lord.
Barcelona, December 14th. 1632.
* * * * *
The prisoner being taken, you will inspect his person and his lodgings,
in order to secure a book, about the size of the hand, in which, it is
confidently believed, there are certain prayers and superstitious
matters. This book you will despatch to us.
DR BERNARDO LUIS COTONER,
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
By order of this Holy Office--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, _Sec’y_.
TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS INQUISITORS OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF CATALONIA.
I received the orders of your Excellencies and put them in execution. I
learned that Juan Duran had left this town of Villaredonda a month
since, and that he labored at times in repairing the bridge of
Armentera, in the archbishopric of Tarragona, whither I sent after him
and had him siezed by a Familiar of that place. I have examined him, and
found his book and papers which, you will receive along with this. No
more cash was found upon him than three _reales_, which I also transmit
by the Familiar who has him in custody. This is all which could be
obtained of his property. The prisoner I despatch to your Excellencies
according to order, and remain at the service of your Excellencies, to
whom may our Lord grant many happy years.
Villaredonda, Dec. 24th, 1632.
FRANCISCO COLL, _Rector of Villaredonda,
and Commissary of the Holy Office_.
* * * * *
In the town of Valles Campo, in the archbishopric of Tarragona, on
Saturday, the twentyseventh day of November, one thousand six hundred
and thirty two, at evening, appeared, without summons, before Dr Pablo
Pasqual Marquez, Presbyter Commissary of the Holy Office, and swore to
declare the truth, a person calling himself Pedro Oriola, apothecary,
resident of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, fortyfour years,
or thereabout; which person, in discharge of his conscience, declared
and denounced the following.
That about fifteen days since, there visited at his house, Juan
Bafforell, and one Marcal, a gardener, inhabitants of the said town; and
that among other things they told him they had heard a certain person
(whose name and birth place the deponent is ignorant of, but knows him
by sight, and that he is a blacksmith, working with Pablo Llaurador of
this town, and came hither in company with a Frenchman, who officiated
as a physician, and a short time since had been imprisoned by the Holy
Office), say, that he possessed a book, which, if it were thrown into a
fire, along with a crucifix, would remain unhurt, while the crucifix
would be consumed.
The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, and being
read in his hearing, is declared by him to be correctly recorded.
Deponent further states that he does not make this declaration out of
malice to any one, but solely to discharge his conscience, and declares
that he will keep the whole secret.
Signed,
PERO ORROLA.
Before me--
GERONYMO JOAN ROSSELLON,
_Presbyter Notary of the Holy Office_.
* * * * *
In the town of Valles, on Sunday, the twentyeighth day of the said month
and year, in the evening, before the said Commissary, appeared,
according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth, Juan
Bafforell, a native and inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as he
stated, fortyeight years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.
Questioned, if he knew, or had heard that any person had said or done
anything, which was, or appeared to be contrary to the Holy Catholic
Faith and Evangelical Law preached and taught by the Holy Mother
Catholic Roman Church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of
the Holy Office.
Answered, that he knew nothing of the matter, but the following. About
fifteen days since, he was at the house of Mosen Pedro Oriola,
apothecary, in company with the said Oriola, Bernardo Serda, innkeeper,
and Salvador Marcal, gardener, and in the course of the conversation the
said Marcal observed that a certain man, whom the deponent knew by
sight, but not his name, or where he belongs, a blacksmith, working with
Pablo Llaurador, of this town, had said, in his presence, in the tavern
of the abovementioned Bernardo Serda, that he possessed a book or books
of such quality and power, that if the said book or books were thrown
into a fire along with an image of Christ crucified, the Christ would be
burnt, and not the book. Further the deponent knoweth not.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent; and being
read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded.
Deponent further states that he has not made this declaration out of
malice, but solely to unburthen his conscience; and, moreover, promises
secrecy; being unable to write, I, the said Commissary sign in his name.
DR PABLO PASQUAL MARQUEZ, _Commissary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO JOAN ROSSELLON,
_Presbyter Notary of the Holy Office_.
* * * * *
In the town of Valles, on Tuesday the thirtieth of the same month and
year, before the said Commissary, appeared according to summons, and
swore formally to declare the truth, a person calling himself Bernardo
Serda, innkeeper, a native and inhabitant of the said town of Valles, of
age, as he stated, twentyfour years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of ascertaining the
substance of what he had stated on several occasions; in relation to
which, the facts were, that about fifteen or thirty days since on
returning to his house, he was informed by his wife and another woman
belonging to Vique, who lodged at his house, and who went about the
country curing diseases, that they had heard a certain stranger, (a
blacksmith, working with Pablo Llaurador, but whose name or birthplace
they did not know although they knew him by sight), declare, that he was
a doctor who cured all disorders, that he was the God of the land, and
that he had a book, which, being put into the fire along with a
crucifix, would remain unhurt, while the crucifix would be consumed. The
above was heard by the women, but not by the deponent. The said person
also stated that he was circumcised as Jesus Christ was, which being
heard of by the deponent he was greatly shocked, and declared that had
it been uttered in his hearing, he would have cudgelled him out of
doors.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and being
read to him he declares it to be correctly recorded. He further states
that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and promises to
observe secrecy. Not being able to write, I, the said Commissary, sign
in his name.
DR PABLO PASQUAL MARQUEZ, _Commissary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO JOAN ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Not’y_.
* * * * *
In the town of Valles, on Thursday, the second day of December, one
thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, in the afternoon, before the said
Commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare
the truth, a person calling himself Pablo Llaurador, blacksmith, an
inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, fiftyfive years
or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of investigating the
following matter. There was a person living with him who assisted him in
his trade. This person called himself Juan Duran, and said he was a
native of Manresa. The said person declared a few days before the feast
of All Saints, in the presence of the deponent, Pablo Vicens, and others
whose names were forgotten, that he had a book containing a prayer of
such efficacy, that, if it were put into a fire along with a crucifix,
this last would be consumed before the book, which words being uttered
with much earnestness by him, deponent and the others reprehended him,
and advised him to abstain from such speeches, as they were scandalous,
and should they come to the knowledge of the Inquisition, would bring
some punishment upon him. The above person repeated his assertions
several times, but at length desisted and appeared somewhat alarmed at
the rebukes they gave him, turning pale. At other times this person had
declared to the deponent that he was very skilful in curing disorders,
and that the Holy Virgin del Rosario, had twice appeared to him, giving
him power to cure all diseases, and bestowed upon him her benediction,
all which deponent laughed at, and ascribed to the speaker’s want of
understanding; but on hearing the assertion respecting the book, he
became offended, and dismissed him from his house. Whither he went on
his departure deponent did not know, only that he stated his intention
soon to return. The book abovementioned he had shown to the deponent
many times. It was a small thing, about the size of the hand, but thick,
and was read by the possessor in great secrecy, as if he were at prayer.
These, and other things, it was said, were known to Jayme Carbonell, a
young man, son to the widow Carbonell, who keeps an inn. The person in
question was a tall, thin, pale faced man, with a chestnut beard, and
meanly dressed.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent; and being
read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. He
further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and
promises to observe secrecy. Not being able to write, I, the said
Commissary, sign in his name.
DR PABLO PASQUAL MARQUEZ, _Commissary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO JUAN ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Not’y_.
* * * * *
In the town of Valles, on the same day, month, and year, before the said
commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare
the truth, a person calling herself Esperanza Serdana, wife of Bernardo
Serdana, innkeeper, an inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as she
stated, thirty years or thereabout.
Questioned, if she knew or conjectured the cause of her being summoned
to appear.
Answered, that she neither knew or conjectured.
Questioned, if she knew or had heard that any person had said or done
any thing which was, or appeared to be, contrary to the Holy Catholic
Faith and Evangelical Doctrine taught and preached by the Holy Mother
Roman Catholic Church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of
the Holy Office.
Answered, that all she knew relating to such matter was the following.
About six weeks since, while she was waiting upon the guests in her
tavern, and had just gone out of the kitchen into the room where the
guests were, she observed them crossing themselves and expressing great
wonder, crying ‘Jesu!’ ‘Jesu!’ Upon which she demanded what was the
matter, and they told her, (she could not tell which of them, as there
were so many present) that a man, then in the room, whose name she did
not know, but only that he was a blacksmith and one she had never seen
before, had said he had a book, which, thrown into a flaming fire along
with a crucifix, would be preserved rather than this last, which
expressions being heard by the deponent, she did not fail to express her
astonishment, by crying ‘Jesu!’ and then went out of the room. The
persons present also told her that the above person had said he was
circumcised and had shed his blood as well as Jesus Christ our Lord.
The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, and being
read in her presence, is declared by her to be correctly recorded. She
further states that she does not make this declaration out of malice,
and promises secrecy. Being unable to write, I, the said Commissary,
sign in her name.
DR PABLO PASQUAL MARQUEZ, _Commissary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO JUAN ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Not’y_.
* * * * *
In the town of Valles, on Saturday, the fourth day of December, one
thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, in the afternoon, before the said
Commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore to declare the
truth, a person calling himself Pablo Vicens, peasant, a native and
inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated, thirty years or
thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of making inquiry
about the following matter. About fifteen days before the feast of All
Saints, he was informed by Bernardo Serda, innkeeper, an inhabitant of
this town, that a man working with Pablo Llaurador, blacksmith of this
town, had said before his wife and the guests in the inn, that he had in
a certain book, a prayer of such efficacy that, were the book thrown
into a blazing fire, along with a crucifix, the book would be preserved
and the crucifix burnt; at which the deponent was much shocked, and went
home. About six or eight days after this, the deponent went to the house
of Pablo Llaurador, and found there the man abovementioned, whom he
believes they called Juan Duran. Deponent spoke to this person, asking
him what he meant by making such a speech as the above, and advised him
to take care what he said, lest he got punished for it. The said Juan
Duran answered, that he had made the above assertion, and would repeat
it, which he did. The deponent told him he had been informed by Bernardo
Serda of his speech about the book, and other assertions of his; namely,
that the Holy Virgin del Rosario had appeared twice to him, and declared
that he possessed the power to cure all diseases, giving him her
benediction; for all which the deponent reprehended him in such a
manner, that they had nearly come to blows, he having seized a
blacksmith’s sledge for the purpose of throwing at the deponent, but
desisted, as every one present exclaimed against him. Deponent was
presently called away, and left the house, and a day or two after, on
inquiring for the said person, of Pablo Llaurador, was informed that he
had left him the same day. Deponent thinks he has since seen him at
Villaredonda, where he believes he may be found at present.
The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent; and being
read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. He
further states that he has not made this declaration out of malice, and
promises secrecy. Not being able to write, I, the said Commissary sign
in his name.
DR PABLO PASQUAL MARQUEZ, _Commissary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Not’y_.
In the town of Valles, on Sunday, the fifth of December, one thousand
six hundred and thirtytwo, before the said Commissary appeared and swore
to declare the truth, a person calling himself Jayme Carbonell, native
and inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, sixteen
years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.
Questioned, if he knew or had heard that any person had said or done
anything which was, or appeared to be contrary to the Holy Catholic
Faith and Evangelical Doctrine taught and professed by our Holy Mother
Roman church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy
Office.
Answered, that all he knew respecting this matter, was the following.
About six weeks since, he met at his home, a man whom they called Juan,
(his other name he did not know) and being in conversation with him,
alone, by the fireside, the said person told him he had a book worth
fifty ducats; that he knew how to cure all diseases simply by looking at
the book, and that by the help of it he could even restore a dead person
to life; that if people knew his great powers he should get to be very
rich, and that he had been circumcised with wounds and blood like Jesus
Christ; at all which the deponent laughed, and said to himself, ‘No
doubt this man is crazy.’ The person referred to, worked at a
blacksmith’s trade with Pablo Llaurador, and slept at the tavern of the
deponent’s mother, while he was in town.
The deponent was then informed that besides what had already been
related, this tribunal had received intimation that the said Juan had
stated he had a book, which, being cast into a fire along with a
crucifix, would remain unhurt, while the crucifix would be consumed; and
that the Holy Virgin del Rosario had twice appeared to him, giving him
her benediction and granting him the power to cure all diseases. He was
admonished to bethink himself, and declare the whole truth.
Answered, that he never heard him utter such a thing, and knew of
nothing more which the above person had said.
This is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and being read
in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. He further
states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and
promises secrecy.
Signed-- JAUME CARBONELL FADRI.
Before me--
GERONYMO JUAN ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Not’y_.
* * * * *
RATIFICATION OF THE PRECEDING TESTIMONY.
In the town of Valles Campo, archbishopric of Tarragona, on Friday, the
twentyfirst day of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, in
the afternoon, before Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Presbyter Commissary of
the Holy Office, in the said town of Valles, appeared Pedro Oriola,
apothecary, an inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated, forty
years or thereabout, and swore to declare the truth, in presence of the
honest and religious persons, the Reverend Jaume Busquers and Pablo
Fonolleda, Presbyter Benificiaries in the parochial church of the said
town; which persons swore to observe secrecy.
Questioned, if he remembered having gone before any justice, and given
his deposition against any person concerning religious matters.
Answered, that he remembered having deposed before the said Dr Pablo
Pasqual Marquez, Commissary of the Holy Office, against a certain
stranger, accompanied by a French doctor who had been imprisoned by the
Holy Office. The substance of this deposition he repeated, and requested
it to be read.
He was then informed that the Promotor Fiscal of the Holy Office
presented him as a witness in an action which he had commenced against
the above person, whose name it was ascertained was Juan Duran. He was
ordered to give attention while his deposition was read, and if he found
anything to alter or add, to do it in such a manner as to declare the
whole truth, for his present declaration might be of service to the said
Juan Duran. The deposition was then read _de verbo ad verbum_, which the
said Pedro Oriola having heard and understood, he declared it to be his
testimony, and that it was correctly recorded; that he had nothing to
add or amend, but was willing to repeat the whole anew. He was again,
under oath, enjoined secrecy, which he promised. The whole I sign for
him.
PEDRO ORIOLA, _Apothecary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO JUAN ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Notary
of the Holy Office_.
[_Here follows, in the original, the ratification in the same manner of
all the other testimony._]
* * * * *
In the town of Valles, on the day, month, and year above specified,
before the said Commissary, appeared, according to summons, and swore
formally to declare the truth, a person calling himself Juan Llaurador,
blacksmith, an inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated,
twentyone years, or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.
Questioned, if he knew or had heard that any person had said aught which
was, or appeared to be contrary to our holy Catholic Faith, and
Evangelical Doctrine professed and taught by the holy Mother Roman
Catholic Church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy
Office.
Answered, that on a certain day, shortly before the feast of All Saints,
Pablo Vicens came to his house, where his father, Pablo Llaurador,
himself, and an apprentice were at work, with another person, whose name
deponent did not know, but noticed that he spoke hardly a word. These
persons being together, the said Pablo Vicens observed that he was
astonished and grieved that there existed a man who could say he had a
book, which, being thrown into a fire with an image of Christ, the book
would be saved, and the Christ burnt. Upon which he was answered by the
person abovementioned, who called himself Juan Duran, and was a native
of the city of Manresa, that he was the man whom he meant, but that his
assertion was only that the Christ would be consumed before the prayer
contained in the book, if the Christ were not consecrated. At this they
all reprimanded him, and declared that a simple representation of Christ
crucified was more powerful than his book or prayer. The said Juan
Duran, being thus contradicted and reproved by every one, was silent,
and left the place. The deponent also heard the said Juan Duran say, in
conversation, that he knew more than the doctors; that the Virgin, Our
Lady del Rosario had appeared to him and given him her benediction, and
that by her assistance he could cure better than the doctors, and do
anything better than other persons. The deponent also heard Jayme
Carbonell say, that Juan Duran had declared, in his presence, that he
was next to God. He has also heard Juan Duran read or recite out of a
little book, as large as the hand, at which all the family laughed. The
said book the deponent has seen.
The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, and being
read in his presence, is declared by him to be faithfully recorded. He
further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and
promises secrecy. Being unable to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in
his name.
DR PABLO PASQUAL MARQUEZ, _Commissary_.
Before me--
GERONYMO JUAN ROSSELLON, _Presbyter Not’y
of the Holy Office_.
* * * * *
CALIFICACION.[15]
A certain person, native of this principality, has stated, in
conversation, two or three times, that he possessed a book containing a
prayer of such efficacy, that if the book were thrown into a fire along
with a crucifix, this last would be consumed before the book; which
assertion being repeated by him with great earnestness, he was reproved
for it, and told among other things, that if the Inquisition knew it, he
would be punished, which silenced him after some time. The
abovementioned book he exhibited several times.
2d. The same person declared on another occasion, that he was very
skilful in curing disorders; that the Holy Virgin del Rosario had
appeared to him and empowered him to heal diseases, and given him her
benediction.
3d. The same person on another occasion declared that he had a book
which he would not sell for fifty ducats, as by merely looking at it he
could cure any disease, and even restore a dead person to life; that if
people knew his great powers, he should grow very rich; and that he was
circumcised with wounds and blood like Jesus Christ.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of
December, one thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, being present at the
afternoon audience, the Inquisitors, Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta, Father Vincente Navarro, Father Martin Perez and
Geronymo Vidal, Jesuits and Calificadores of this Holy Office,--and
having examined the above propositions, declared, unanimously, that the
1st, is a superstitious compact with the devil, and the comparison of
the book to the figure of Christ a blasphemy; the
2d, vain and superstitious; and the
3d, is a superstitious imposture; and the assertion of being
circumcised, one which creates suspicions of enmity to our Holy Faith.
VICENTE NAVARRO, _Jesuit_.
MARTIN PEREZ, _Jesuit and Lecturer
in Theology_.
GERONYMO VIDAL, _Jesuit_.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
FIRST AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of
January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the Inquisitor, Dr
Bernardo Luis Cotoner, being at his morning audience, ordered to be
brought from the secret prison, a certain person, who, on his
appearance, was formally sworn to declare the truth in this audience and
all others, till the conclusion of his trial, and to keep secret
whatever he might see or hear, and everything which should befall him,
concerning his trial.
Questioned, what was his name, birthplace, age, occupation, and the date
of his imprisonment.
Answered, that his name was Juan Duran, a native of the city of Manresa,
in the bishopric of Vique, of age, thirtyone years, or thereabout, by
trade a blacksmith and farrier, and that on the day of the Innocents, he
was arrested, and put in the prison of the Holy Office.
Questioned, who was his father, and wife; who were his grandfathers and
uncles, paternal and maternal; his brothers and children; what were
their birthplaces, residences, occupations, &c.
Answered, [_Here follows a long account, in reply to the above
queries._]
Questioned, of what lineage and stock were his ancestors, and collateral
relatives; and if they, or any one of them, or himself, had ever been
imprisoned, put under penance, absolved, or condemned by the Holy Office
of the Inquisition.
Answered, that they were all old Christians of pure blood, and that he
had never heard or understood that any one of them had been imprisoned,
put under penance, absolved, or condemned by the Holy Office of the
Inquisition; that he had never been imprisoned by the Holy Office till
the present occasion.
Questioned, if he was a baptized and confirmed Christian, and made it a
practice to attend mass, go to confession, and communicate, at the times
fixed by the Holy Mother Church.
Answered, that he was a Christian, and was baptized, according as he had
heard from his parents, in the cathedral church of Manresa, but did not
know the name of the bishop who confirmed him; that he made it a
practice to hear mass, confess, and commune, at the times prescribed by
the holy Mother Church, and that his last confession was in the town of
Valles Campo de Tarragona, in the month of October last, on the day of
Our Lady del Rosario of the fleet of Don John of Austria, which
confession was made to a Carmelite friar, of the convent of that city,
whose name he did not know; that he received the holy sacrament from the
hands of the same Friar; that he had also confessed and received the
sacrament during the Lent of the last year, in the church of Igualada,
before a priest belonging there, whose name he did not know; and that he
had a certificate to this effect in his possession, when he was taken to
prison.
Here he crossed himself, repeated the Paternoster, Ave Maria, and Credo
in Latin, the Salve Regina, the ten commandments, the seven deadly sins,
and the general confession in Catalan, all correctly, and declared he
knew nothing more of the christian doctrine.
Questioned, if he could write or read, or had ever studied any science
or faculty.
Answered, that he could read, but badly, having taught himself. That he
had never studied any art, and could not write.
Questioned, if he had ever been out of the kingdom of Arragon, and with
what persons.
Answered, that he had once visited the kingdom of Granada, but not in
company with any person; and that he had never had communication with
people of suspicious faith.
Questioned, what were the events of his life.
Answered, that he was born in the city of Manresa, as aforesaid, and
brought up in the house of his father, till the age of sixteen years,
when he was sent to the town of Igualada, to Maestre Ando, a blacksmith
and farrier, with whom he staid four months, learning his trade; that he
afterwards resided in several places in Catalonia, and then visited
Arragon and Granada, as above stated, made no long stay, but returned
hither about two years ago; that lately he had been dwelling in the
village of Pont de Armenteria, Campo de Tarragona, where he was seized
by the Holy Office and brought to prison.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being arrested
and confined in the prison of the Holy Office.
Answered, that he knew not, nor could conjecture, unless it was for
this; he had often cured persons of fevers and other disorders, with
rosemary water, flor vitæ, rue, &c., which art he had learned from God
and the holy Mary our Lady, from whom he had received a particular gift
for this purpose.
Questioned, in what manner, and at what time he had received this gift.
Answered, that he had received it at two years of age, having been born
with a mole on his neck and two others on the left hip; that he had been
sick in his youth for ten years or more with great lameness, and had
entreated God and the Virgin to restore him to health, and grant him the
power to cure others, that he might in this way earn his living.
Questioned, what reason he had for believing that God and our Lady had
given him the above power.
Answered, that he was led to believe it from the good success which had
accompanied his attempts to perform the abovementioned cures, which had
been effected in the case of many persons whose names he did not
remember, and from whom he had never received any pay but what they gave
him out of charity; that if on the above account any testimony had been
given against him, he supposed this to be the cause of his imprisonment
by the Holy Office, although he was not conscious of ever having
committed any offence against our Lord, nor knew any other reason for
his being imprisoned.
The prisoner was then informed that in this Holy Office it was not
customary to imprison any person without sufficient information that he
had committed, or seen committed, some act which was, or appeared to be
contrary to our holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical doctrine, which is
taught and professed by the Holy Mother Roman Catholic Church, or
against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office; for which
reason he was to understand that it was in consequence of some such
information that he had been apprehended, and on this account he was
exhorted on the part of God our Lord and his glorious and blessed
mother, the Virgin Mary, to bethink himself well, and confess the whole
truth. Whereupon he was remanded to prison.
* * * * *
SECOND AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the eleventh day
of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the Inquisitor, Dr
Bernardo Luis Cotoner being at his morning audience, ordered the above
Juan Duran to be brought out of prison; which being done, and the
prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair, which he
was bound to state according to his conscience.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then informed, that he had been already in a former
audience exhorted in the name of our Lord, and his glorious and blessed
mother, the Virgin Mary, to bethink himself well, and unburthen his
conscience by declaring the whole truth respecting all which he had
done, said, seen, or heard, offensive against God, or contrary in
reality or appearance to his Holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical
Doctrine, taught and professed by the Holy Mother Roman Catholic Church,
or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office, without
testifying anything false. By following this direction, he would demean
himself like a true Catholic Christian, and would have his trial
despatched with all possible brevity and mercy; but if not, justice
should be executed upon him.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say. He was then admonished and
remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
THIRD AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twelfth day
of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the Inquisitors,
Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner, and Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, being at their
morning audience, ordered the aforesaid Juan Duran, to be brought out of
prison; which being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair, which he
was bound by his conscience to declare.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then informed, &c. [_The whole repeated as above._]
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that the Promoter Fiscal of this Holy Office had an
accusation to bring against him, before which he would do well to
declare the whole truth, and unburthen his conscience, otherwise the
Promoter Fiscal would appear and proceed to his trial.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Straightway appeared Dr Francisco Gregorio, Promotor Fiscal of this Holy
Office, and declared that he presented an accusation, signed with his
name, against the said Juan Duran, taking an oath that he did not
present the same through malice. The accusation was as follows:--
ACCUSATION.
I, Dr Francisco Gregorio, Fiscal of this Holy Office, appear before your
Excellencies, and accuse criminally, Juan Duran, blacksmith, a native of
the city of Manresa, attached to the secret prison of this Inquisition,
and now present; inasmuch as the said person, being a baptized and
confirmed Christian, and in the enjoyment of all the rights and
immunities which such persons do and ought to enjoy, not having the fear
of God before his eyes, but disregarding his own conscience and the
justice administered by your Excellencies, has committed offences
against our Holy Catholic Faith, by uttering superstitious and
blasphemous speeches, and compacting with the devil, in the manner
following.
1. A few days before the feast of All Saints last, in a certain part of
the town of Valles, in presence of certain persons, the said Duran
declared, two or three times, that he possessed a book containing a
prayer, of such efficacy, that if it were thrown into a fire along with
a crucifix, the book would be preserved, and the crucifix consumed.
2d. In the same place and on the same occasion, the persons
abovementioned hearing the said Duran repeat with much earnestness the
above assertion, reproved him, and advised him to give over saying such
things, as they were scandalous, and, if known to the Inquisition, would
bring some punishment upon him; whereupon he again repeated it, and
declared that he had said it and would say it again, thus remaining in
his obstinacy and error.
3d. About three months since, in the town of Valles, the said prisoner
being in conversation with a certain person, told him that he knew how
to cure all disorders; that he had a book worth fifty ducats, as by
merely looking at it he could cure any disease, and even restore the
dead to life; and, moreover, that if people knew his great gifts he
should become very rich.
4th. The said Duran declared, in the same place, at the same time, and
to the same person, that he, the said Duran, had been circumcised with
blood and wounds, like Jesus Christ, from which it is presumed that he
has turned Jew.
5th. In consequence of the abovementioned cures, he has been in the
habit of uttering forbidden and diabolical invocations, especially that
of St Cyprian, which he has had in a small book, about his person; and
it is believed that the cures he has performed have been executed by his
diabolical arts and the league he has made with the devil.
6th. He has boasted, on many occasions, before certain persons, that God
and the Holy Virgin had given him his power of curing; that the Virgin
del Rosario had twice appeared to him, granted him the faculty of
healing, and given him her benediction; all which assertions he has made
to cover his villanies.
7th. From the above it is to be presumed that the said prisoner has
uttered many other superstitious and blasphemous speeches, and done many
other things by the help of the devil, with whom he holds a particular
intimacy; also that he is knowing to the commission by others of many
such crimes, the whole of which he has maliciously concealed, and though
advised by your Excellencies to declare the truth, has not done it, but
has committed perjury.
For which reasons, I entreat that your Excellencies will receive my
relation for true, or such part thereof as shall suffice for the ends of
justice in a definitive sentence, and declare the accusation fully
proved, and the said Juan Duran guilty of the commission of the said
crimes, imposing upon him the heaviest punishments denounced against
such offences, and executing them upon his person and goods for a
penalty to himself, and an example to others; and also that he be put to
the torture if this be found necessary, and that the torture be
repeated till he confess the whole truth both of himself and others. And
I formally swear that I do not bring this accusation out of malice, but
solely to accomplish the ends of justice.
DR FRANCISCO GREGORIO.
The above accusation having been presented and read, the said Juan Duran
was formally sworn to declare the truth, and answer to the same, article
by article, which he did in the manner following.
To the head of the accusation, he answered that he was the same Juan
Duran whom the Fiscal accused, but that he had committed no offence
against the Holy Catholic Faith, nor been guilty of any blasphemies or
superstitions beyond what he had confessed.
To the first article he answered, that he confessed what was contained
therein; that he uttered the words specified, in the town of Valles at
the inn of La Cerdaña, and that the book referred to was the one found
upon him, with the invocation of St Cyprian and which was now exhibited;
but that he had made the assertion abovementioned from mere ignorance
and simplicity, not believing it himself; which confession he made with
tears and begging for pardon.
To the second article, he answered, that it was true, but that he did
not remember repeating the assertion after he had been reproved for it.
To the third article, he answered that it was true, and that the book
alluded to was the one now exhibited; but that he never believed that
he could raise the dead to life by the help of it.
To the fourth article, he answered that it was true, but that he was not
circumcised, nor was he a Jew.
To the fifth article, he answered that he had used the invocation of St
Cyprian on several occasions in cures, without knowing that it was
forbidden, but did it from pure ignorance. He denied that he had any
league with the devil.
To the sixth article, he answered that it was true, and that he had made
some such boasts, on the following account; about fifteen years since,
he was sick of lethargy, when our Lady del Rosario appeared to him,
clothed in white, at the sight of which he was cured. The Virgin,
however, did not tell him that he should possess the power to cure all
diseases, and whether she gave him her benediction or not, he could not
tell.
To the seventh article, he answered that he had never said or done any
of the things charged upon him, save those confessed above, nor knew of
any such which had been done by others.
To the conclusion of the accusation he answered that he had stated the
whole truth; and even if he were put to the torture, could say nothing
more. He ended by begging to have mercy shown him. The above being read
in his presence is declared by him to be correctly recorded, and as he
cannot write, I, the Inquisitor sign this.
DR BERNARDO LUIS COTONER.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
The above Inquisitors then ordered the said Juan Duran to be furnished
with a copy of the accusation, that he might within three days make
arrangements for his defence, with the help of one of the advocates for
the prisoners of the Holy Office. The prisoner made choice of Father
Geronymo Vidal, Jesuit, for this purpose, who was forthwith ordered to
be summoned; whereupon the audience closed, and the prisoner, having
been admonished, was remanded to prison.
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE TO COMMUNICATE THE ACCUSATION AND EVIDENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twelfth day
of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his morning audience, ordered the
aforesaid Juan Duran to be brought out of prison, which being done, and
the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he recollected anything relating to his affair which he
was bound to divulge, agreeably to his conscience.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that Father Geronymo Vidal, whom he had chosen for
his advocate, was present, that he might communicate with him and
prepare for his defence. The said Father Vidal then swore _in verbo
sacerdotis_ to defend faithfully and diligently the said Juan Duran, in
the present trial, so far as justice would permit, to inform him if his
cause was not defensible, to do everything which a good advocate is
bound to do, and to keep the whole matter secret.
The confessions of the said Juan Duran were then read, with the
accusation against him, and his answers thereto, and the advocate
conferred with the prisoner respecting his case, advised him to confess
the whole truth, without uttering false testimony either against himself
or others, and, if he were guilty, to beg pardon, by doing which, he
would experience mercy. The prisoner stated that he had declared the
truth as appeared by his confessions, and beyond what was therein
contained denied the accusation, on which account he begged to be set at
liberty.
The Inquisitor then declared that definite trial should be now had, and
both parties bring their proofs _salvo jure impertinentium et non
admittendorum_, according to the style of the Holy Office, and the
Promotor Fiscal gave notice that he reproduced the testimony of the
witnesses which had been already recorded. This testimony he requested
might be examined, and also that all other necessary investigations
might be made, and the testimony afterwards published; whereupon the
prisoner was admonished, and remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR PUBLICATION.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyninth
day of January one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the
Inquisitors, Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner and Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta,
being at their morning audience, ordered the aforesaid Juan Duran to be
brought from prison, which being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he recollected anything relating to his affair which he
was bound in conscience to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that the Fiscal of this Holy Office had demanded
publication of the testimony against him, before which it would be well
for him to bethink himself and declare the entire truth; by doing which,
his trial would be despatched with all brevity and mercy.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Straightway appeared the said Francisco Gregorio, Promoter Fiscal of
this Holy Office, and requested publication of the testimony against the
said Juan Duran, according to the style of the Holy Office. The said
Inquisitors then ordered the publication to be made, concealing the
names of the witnesses, and other circumstances which might tend to
discover their persons, according to the orders and style of the Holy
Office.
PUBLICATION OF THE TESTIMONY.
A certain witness sworn and qualified in the proper time and manner,
declares, &c. [_Here follows the substance of the deposition of Pedro
Oriola, as already given_:]
Another witness, &c. [_In this manner, a summary of all the testimony is
given._] * * *
The publication being accomplished, the said Juan Duran was sworn to
declare the truth in answer to the above testimony, article by article.
[_Here follow the answers of the prisoner to the several specifications,
which do not differ materially from the answers to the accusation
already given._]
A copy of the above publication was ordered to be given the prisoner,
that he might, with the assistance of his counsel, prepare for his
defence. Father Vidal, the prisoner’s advocate, was then summoned, and
conferred with the prisoner respecting his trial, when the audience
closed, and the prisoner, being admonished, was remanded to prison.
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR THE PRISONER’S DEFENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyninth
day of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the
Inquisitor, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at his afternoon audience,
ordered the said Juan Duran to be brought from prison, which being done,
and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he recollected anything relative to his affair, which he
was bound in conscience to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that Father Geronymo Vidal was present, who had
drawn up his defence, and that he might confer with him; the above
advocate then read to the prisoner a writing which the prisoner
accepted, and declared that he made a formal presentation of the same.
The defence was as follows:--
Although Juan Duran, inhabitant of Manresa, in the archbishopric of
Vique, has no necessity for a defence, on account of his full confession
and declaration of the truth respecting the matter of the Fiscal’s
accusation, yet for greater security in his defence, he offers the
following.
1st. That he is ignorant, and uttered the assertions of which he is
accused, without knowing that they were heavy offences against our Lord,
for which he is extremely grieved, and begs pardon with tears, both of
God and this Holy Tribunal, having spoken out of mere vanity, things
which were not true.
2d. That he has fully confessed; and as to what is stated by one witness
against him, that he declared himself to be the God of the country, and
by another, that he affirmed he was next to God, that these testimonies
are so extravagant that they ought not to be regarded; that he is very
penitent for his offences against our Lord, and begs correction and
instruction, with all humility.
3d. That he is descended from old Christians, and is a good Christian
himself, having set a good example wherever he has resided, living by
his labor, hearing mass and sermons; that he knows the prayers, and in
whatever he has failed, he has not offended wilfully; on all which
accounts he concludes by supplicating the favor of your Excellency’s
usual mercy.
GERONYMO VIDAL.
The Inquisitors then ordered the above to be notified to the Fiscal of
this Holy Office; whereupon the audience closed, and the prisoner was
remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
SENTENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of
February, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, at the afternoon
audience for the determination of causes, present, the Inquisitors, Dr
Bernardo Luis Cotoner and Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, and, on the part of
the archbishopric of Tarragona and bishopric of Urgel, Don Ramon de
Queralt. Having examined the proceedings of the cause against Juan
Duran, blacksmith, native of Manresa, and now in the secret prison of
this Holy Office; ordered, unanimously, that the said person attend at
an _Auto de Fe_, if any one should shortly happen, and if not, that he
proceed to some church designated by this Tribunal, in the manner of a
penitent, and with the insignia of a necromancer, that his sentence be
there read to him, and a mass be said; that he make an abjuration _de
levi_,[16] and be banished from the city of Manresa, and town of Valles,
the places where he transgressed, for four leagues roundabout, during
the space of four years; and that if he infringe this order, he suffer
double the above penalty.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ..
* * * * *
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the fifth day of
March, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the Inquisitors, Dr
Bernardo Luis Cotoner, and Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta being at their
morning audience, ordered the said Juan Duran to be brought from prison,
which being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, &c.
Answered, that he had nothing to declare in discharge of his conscience,
either respecting his own affair, or with respect to aught that had been
done or said in the prisons of this Holy Office, or against the dignity,
authority, or secrets of its ministers, or respecting the custody of the
prisoners therein; that he had not witnessed any communication carried
on among them, or knew that any one had spoken to another, or to any one
without; that he carried no communication from them to any one, and that
the Alcayde and Steward have faithfully discharged their duties.
He was then commanded by virtue of the oath which he had taken, and
under penalty of complete excommunication, to observe perfect secrecy in
relation to all which had befallen him, and all which he had seen,
heard, learned, or understood while in prison, and not to divulge the
same, in any shape; all which he promised.
DR BERNARDO LUIS COTONER.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
TRIAL OF LEONARDO PHELIPE,
FOR LUTHERANISM.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,
I, the undersigned Secretary, who, in the absence of the Fiscal of this
Holy Office, exercise his duties, appear before your Excellency, and
declare, that, from the information which I now present, it appears, and
is manifest that Phelippe Leonart, a needlemaker, and a Frenchman by
birth, now resident in the city of Tarragona, is a Lutheran heretic,
commonly swearing, and denying God and the Saints, ridiculing the Holy
Sacraments of the Church, never confessing himself, for which he has
been declared excommunicated, and committing other crimes.
On which account, I request that your Excellency will order him to be
arrested and confined in the secret prison, in order that the ends of
justice may be accomplished.
MATTHEO MAGRE, _Sec’y_.
In the city of Tarragona, on the fifteenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, appeared voluntarily
Tecla Leonarda, wife of Felipe Leonart, needlemaker, a Frenchman by
birth, and inhabitant of this city of Tarragona, of age, as she stated,
fifty years, or thereabout. She made the following declaration.
‘Señor Commissary, I am the wife of Felipe Leonart, needlemaker, a
Frenchman, and have been married to him about twenty years. I cannot
learn that during all this time he has confessed himself once, unless
compelled to do it during Lent. He has many times been declared
excommunicated for not confessing, and for neglecting to comply with the
precepts of the church. He formerly lived in Valencia, in the Calle de
la Mar, Parish of St Tomas. He never confessed himself here, and was
reminded of his neglect by the Rector. Upon being rebuked by me and his
son, and advised to confess, he broke out into blasphemies against God
and the Saints, with such violence that he appeared more like a demoniac
than anything else. It being suggested to him that God did not prosper
him because he did not attend mass, nor wear a rosary, nor hear sermons,
nor confess, but swore, and blasphemed, and that if the Holy Inquisition
knew of this he would be apprehended, he replied that the devil must
help him; that he did not care for me nor the Inquisition, that he would
not confess, and that God gave him nothing which the devil would give.
In particular, last Passion Week his son carried him to the Jesuits to
confess; but, on finding to what place he was conducting him, the said
Felipe abandoned him and refused to confess, greatly offending his son
and the confessor. He has given so many proofs of not being a Christian,
that many of his apprentices have left him, declaring that they would
not live in a house where God was not venerated and worshipped.’
The deponent further declared that on making a full confession last
Lent, of all the sins of her husband and her own negligence in
denouncing him, she was directed to give information of the whole to
this Holy Office, and was refused absolution unless she complied, and
that there were many more things to be told which she could not
recollect, as they happened so long since.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and is
stated by her not out of malice, but solely to discharge her conscience.
It was read to her, and declared to be faithfully recorded. She promised
secrecy, and I, the Commissary, sign for her.
The Canon,
JUAN FERRER, _Commissary_.
Before me--
MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not’y of Tarragona_.
* * * * *
In the city of Tarragona, on the day, month, and year above specified,
before the abovementioned Commissary of this Holy Office, appeared,
according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth, a woman
calling herself Maria Leonart, wife of Joseph Leonart, an inhabitant of
this city of Tarragona, of age, as she stated, sixteen years, or
thereabout.
Questioned, if she knew the cause of her being summoned to appear.
Answered, that she supposed it to be for the purpose of making inquiry
respecting the life and conduct of Felipe Leonart, her father-in-law.
She was married about four months ago to Joseph Leonart, his son, and
what she knew of the matter in question was this;--the said Felipe
Leonart was accustomed to swear a thousand times a day, with and without
cause. He would swear ‘by the head of God;’ and the deponent had heard
him declare, many times, that all his good luck happened in the name of
the devil, and not of God. The deponent had asked him why he did not
confess, observing that to kneel at the foot of a confessor, and relate
his sins, was to relate them to God; and the said Felipe Leonart replied
that this was all babble; that he believed just as he pleased. As to
hearing mass, he would take it upon trust; that the priests said in
their sermons just what they chose, and that they did nothing but
trouble the common folks. Some one asking him if he was not afraid of
dying, he replied that if he knew that there was a tavern in the other
world, he should wish to die immediately. The deponent advised him to
confess himself, as otherwise he would be declared excommunicated. He
replied that he would not confess, and in fact did not, the last Lent,
although his son attempted to carry him to confession. His common oaths
were ‘the sacred host,’ ‘the hours of God,’ ‘the head of God.’ His
common helpers were the devils; saying, ‘by the help of the devil I will
do this,’ &c. So that during the whole space of four months the deponent
has never known a word or action of a Christian to proceed from him,
never kneeling when the signal is given, nor taking off his cap, nor
leaving off eating, although requested to do so by his wife and the
deponent.
The above statement is not made from any but conscientious motives, and
on being read, was declared by the deponent to be correctly recorded.
She promised secrecy, and I, the said Commissary, sign for her.
The Canon,
JUAN FERRER, _Commissary_.
Before me--
MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not’y of Tarragona_.
* * * * *
In the city of Tarragona, on the seventeenth day of the month
abovementioned, and the same year, before the said Commissary of the
Holy Office, appeared, according to summons, and swore formally to
declare the truth, a man calling himself Joseph Leonart, an inhabitant
of Tarragona, of age, as he stated, twenty years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew the cause of his being summoned to appear.
Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of learning the bad
conduct of Felipe Leonart, a Frenchman, and his father. For a number of
years the deponent and his mother had concealed many heavy offences
committed by him against the Holy Catholic Faith.
The said Felipe Leonart was a great swearer, saying ‘The head, soul, and
body of Christ’ a million times every day, declaring that he did not
fear God, the king, nor anybody; and that if he knew there was a tavern
in the other world, he should not care if he were to die, although his
body were burnt at Carraxet. Everything which succeeded well with him,
he ascribed to the devil and not to God, saying, ‘The devil will give me
food, for I do not want anything from God,’ and, ‘The devil will give me
luck in this;’ so that his patron and helper in everything was the
devil. He never confessed, and the last Lent the deponent attempted to
carry him to the convent of St Francisco; but on perceiving that he was
leading him to confession, he ran away from him. He declared it nonsense
to relate one’s sins to a confessor, and that a man should tell of
nothing but what he pleased. The deponent had never seen him more than
once at mass. He wore no rosary, nor any sign of a Christian. He had
been declared excommunicated for not complying with the precepts of the
church, in this city, in Barcelona, and in Valencia. He declared that
the preachers were troublers of the people. At one time, in Valencia, he
went to bed after tiring himself with swearing, and told the family that
a woman, a monkey, and a young man then in the house, had appeared to
him in bed, scratched his face all over and thrown him down stairs. They
found him at the foot of the stairs with his face scratched, and
believed that this had been done by the devil, from his mentioning him
so often. The deponent and his wife had advised him to remove his
residence lest the Holy Inquisition should punish him; to which he
answered that he did not care for the Inquisition. Finally, the said
Felipe Leonart lead such a life that he appeared more like a Lutheran
than a Christian.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, who does
not make this declaration out of malice or ill will against his father,
but solely to discharge his conscience, and to obey the commands of his
confessors. It having been read, he declared it to be correctly
recorded, and signed his name.
JOSEF LLEONART.
Before me--
MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not’y of Tarragona_.
CALIFICACION.
A person of ordinary rank, and of an infected nation has been declared,
by persons living with him, to have confessed but once for twentytwo
years, and at this time by compulsion. On many occasions he has been
declared excommunicated for not complying with the precepts of the
Church.
The same witnesses, as they cannot perceive that he goes to confession,
rebuke him for it, whereupon he abjures God and the Saints in such a
manner that he appears possessed. He wears no rosary, does not hear
mass, nor confess, and declares that the devil helps him. On being
rebuked and threatened with a denunciation to the Inquisition, he speaks
contemptuously of it, declares that he will not confess, and that God
gives him nothing that the devil will give.
Every day he swears by God without occasion, and affirms that all which
happens well to him is done in the name of the devil and not of God.
Being told to go to mass, he replied that he would take it upon trust;
that the preachers said just what suited them; that he believed what he
pleased; that they did nothing but make trouble; that he did not wish
for anything from God which the devil could give him; and that it was
nonsense to relate a man’s sins to a confessor, or anything more than
what a man pleased. Wherever he has lived he has been excommunicated for
not following the precepts of the Church.
Some one asking him if he was not afraid of dying, he answered that he
did not fear God, and that if he knew that there was a tavern in the
other world, he should not regard dying immediately.
* * * * *
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the seventh day
of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his morning audience, ordered
the Calificadores of this Holy Tribunal, Father Maestro Onofre Ferrer,
and Father Maestro Chrysostomo Bonamich, both Conventuals of this city
to appear before him.
Having examined the propositions above specified, they declared
unanimously that the above person is a scandalous, presumptuous
blasphemer, and a formal heretic, who ought to be proceeded against.
MAESTRO FR. ONOFRE FERRER.
MAESTRO FR. CHRYSOSTOMO BONAMICH.
Before me--
DAMIAN FONOLLEDA, _Sec’y_.
* * * * *
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the seventh day
of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his afternoon audience, having
examined the information received by the Commissary of Tarragona against
Phelipe Leonardo, needlemaker, a Frenchman, and an inhabitant of that
city,--ordered, that this person be arrested and confined in the secret
prison of this Holy Office to take his trial in form, and that his
apprehension be intrusted to the Commissary of the abovementioned city,
who shall transmit him from place to place and from the hands of one
Familiar to another.
Before me--
DAMIAN FONOLLEDA, _Sec’y_.
FIRST AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentysecond
day of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor,
Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his morning audience,
ordered to be brought out of prison, a person, who, on his appearance,
was formally sworn to declare the truth, both on this occasion and in
all the other audiences which may be held till the determination of his
trial; also to preserve secrecy with respect to everything which he may
see, hear, or understand, and everything which may take place respecting
him.
Questioned, his name, birthplace, residence, age, and occupation, and
the time of his imprisonment by the Holy Office.
Answered, that his name was Leonardo Phelipe, needlemaker; that he was a
Frenchman by birth, born in the village of Agullon in the bishopric of
Genes; that he was about fortysix years of age, and that he was
apprehended by the Holy Office on Sunday, the sixteenth of the present
month.
Questioned, who was his father and mother, who were his grandfathers,
uncles, paternal and maternal, wife, children, brothers, &c.
[_Here follows the prisoner’s account._]
Questioned, of what race and stock were his ancestors and collateral
relations, and whether any one of them, or he himself, had ever been put
under penance or punished by the Holy Office of the Inquisition.
Answered that they were French, and old Catholic Christians, of pure
blood and lineage; that in the place of his birth there were no
Lutherans; that none of the family had ever been contaminated with this
heresy, and that none of them had ever been apprehended, punished, or
put under penance by the Holy Office of the Inquisition, till the
present occasion.
Questioned, if he was a baptized and confirmed Christian, heard mass,
confessed, and took the sacrament at such times as the Holy Mother Roman
Catholic Church directed; at what time he made his last confession, and
from whom he received the holy sacrament.
Answered, that he was a baptized and confirmed Christian, according to
what he had been told by his parents, and that he recollected the fact
of his confirmation by the bishop of Genes, on which occasion he gave
him a slap in the face; that he attended mass, confessed, and took the
sacrament when directed by the Holy Mother Roman Catholic Church; that
the last time he confessed was at the festival of the Resurrection, the
present year, in the convent of St Francisco, at Tarragona, to the
Guardian or Sacristan; that he received the holy sacrament in the
cathedral church from the hands of one of the curates, as could be shown
by the certificate found upon him at the time of his imprisonment.
Here the prisoner crossed himself in a clumsy manner, and could not
repeat perfectly the words of the _prœsignum crucis_. He said the
_paternoster_, _ave Maria_, and credo with much reverence, declaring
that he did not know the _salve regina_. He repeated the ten
commandments, and stated that he knew nothing more of the christian
doctrine.
Questioned, if he had visited any foreign countries since he came to
Spain, or had any dealings with people suspected in the faith.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if he could read and write, or had studied any science or
faculty.
Answered, that he could neither read nor write, nor had ever studied
anything but his trade.
Questioned, what were the events of his life.
Answered, that he was born, as already stated, in the village of
Agullon, and brought up by his parents till thirteen years of age,
without doing anything but eat and drink. On the death of his parents,
he was left a destitute orphan, and came to Catalonia begging. He
arrived at Barcelona, and lived three years as a servant with Maestre
Gosart, needlemaker, after which he served various other persons in
Barcelona for the space of more than eleven years. From this city he
went to Tarragona, where he worked with Francisco Roca till he married
the wife abovementioned, since which he has worked for himself without
leaving Tarragona but once, when he staid about three months in
Caragoca, at the end of which he returned home.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured anything, except that he
was seized by the Holy Office while at work in his shop.
The prisoner was then informed that in this Holy Office it was not
customary to imprison any one without sufficient information that he had
said or done, or witnessed the saying or doing by other persons, of
something which was, or appeared to be contrary to our Holy Catholic
Faith and Evangelical Law, taught and preached by the Holy Mother Roman
Catholic Church, or against the free and just proceedings of the Holy
Office, and on this account he must understand that he was imprisoned by
reason of some such information; therefore he was exhorted, by his
reverence for God our Lord and his glorious and blessed Mother the
Virgin Mary, to bethink himself and declare the whole truth with respect
to his own offences, and what he knew of others, without concealing
anything or bearing false witness against any one, by which proceeding
he would clear his conscience as a Catholic Christian, and save his
soul, and that his trial should, in this case, be despatched with all
brevity and mercy; otherwise justice should be executed.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The declarations which he had made in this audience were then read and
declared by him to be correctly recorded. He declared that they
contained the truth, that he had nothing to alter in them, and if
necessary was ready to repeat them anew. And having been admonished to
bethink himself and declare the truth, he was remanded to prison. Not
being able to write, I, the said Inquisitor, sign this.
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
SECOND AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentythird
day of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding alone in his morning audience, ordered
the abovementioned Leonardo Felipe to be brought out of prison, which
being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair which he
was bound by his oath to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then told that he was aware he had in the preceding
audience been exhorted by his reverence for God our Lord and his
glorious and blessed Mother, &c.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Whereupon he was admonished to bethink himself and remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
THIRD AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyfifth
of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta, presiding alone at his morning audience, ordered
the abovementioned Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison; which
being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair which he
was bound to divulge according to his oath.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
The prisoner was then told that he was aware he had in the preceding
audiences been exhorted, &c.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Whereupon the audience closed, and the prisoner having been admonished
to bethink himself, was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR PRESENTING THE ACCUSATION.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyfifth
day of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor, Dr
Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his afternoon audience, ordered
the abovementioned Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison; which
being done, and the prisoner present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair which he
was bound by his oath to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that the Promoter Fiscal of the Holy Office had an
accusation to bring against him, and that it would be well for him, both
as a means of discharging his conscience and despatching briefly his
trial, to confess the whole truth before the accusation was presented,
according as he had been previously exhorted, by which he would
experience the mercy which the Holy Office extends towards all who
confess freely; otherwise he was informed that the Fiscal would attend,
and justice be executed.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Straightway appeared the Secretary, Damian Fonolleda, who, by reason of
the absence of the Fiscal, and the indisposition of Mateo Magre,
Secretary, took upon him that office. He presented an accusation signed
by him against the said Leonardo Phelipe, making oath that he did not
present the same out of malice.
ACCUSATION.
I, the Fiscal of this Holy Office, appear before your Excellency, and
accuse criminally, Leonardo Phelipe, needlemaker, born in the village of
Agullon, in the bishopric of Gens, kingdom of France, and an inhabitant
of the city of Tarragona, attached to the secret prison of this
Inquisition, and now present, inasmuch as he, being a baptized and
confirmed Christian, and enjoying all the graces and immunities which
such persons may and ought to enjoy, not having the fear of God, his
own conscience, or the justice administered by your Excellency before
his eyes, has committed offences against our Holy Catholic Faith, by
blaspheming and denying God our Lord, seeking favor and help from
devils, and doing other things in the manner following.
1. He has many times been declared excommunicated in Barcelona,
Tarragona, and other places, for not confessing in Lent according to his
duty. And while he resided in the parish of St Thomas, in Valencia, he
could not be persuaded to confess, although he received many admonitions
to that effect from the rector of the said parish, thus remaining
excommunicated, careless of the salvation of his soul.
2. Certain persons of his acquaintance rebuking him for not confessing,
he blasphemed God and the Saints with such fury and malice that he
appeared like a demoniac. He wears no rosary. Some one threatening him
with a punishment from the Inquisition, he replied that he did not care
for the Inquisition, and that he would not confess; also, that he wanted
nothing from God which the devil could give him.
3. On Passion Week, during the last Lent, some person was conducting him
to the Jesuits of the aforesaid city of Tarragona, for the purpose of
confession, out of charity towards him, and although it was in his power
to comply with the precept in this instance, he refused, and fled from
the church, to the great scandal of the confessor who was there to hear
him, as well as other persons.
4. He is accustomed to deny God, and swear ‘by the head of God,’ and
‘the soul and body of Christ,’ repeating it commonly many times a day;
also declaring that his living, and everything he gets, comes in the
name of the devil and not of God. Some one rebuking him for this, he
said that he believed what he pleased, and as to hearing mass on the
days prescribed, he would take it upon trust; that the preachers said
just what they chose, and did nothing but disturb the people.
5. He says that he does not fear God, and that if he knew there was a
tavern in the other world, he should not care if he died, although his
body were burnt.
6. I accuse him of having said that a man ought not to tell his sins to
the confessor, and that it was nonsense for a man to tell anything but
what he pleased. This being a proposition maintained by the false and
reprobate sect of Martin Luther, and the prisoner belonging to France, a
country where this sect prevails, it is to be presumed that he belongs
to it.
7. Furthermore, it is to be supposed that the prisoner has committed
many other offences against our Holy Catholic Faith, and uttered other
blasphemies and heretical speeches, as well as known that other persons
have done the same, all which he conceals like a bad Christian. Of this
I intend to accuse him more formally. At present I do it in general
terms, and although he has been exhorted by your Excellency to declare
the truth, he has not done it, but has perjured himself.
For which reasons I request and supplicate your Excellency to admit my
charges as proved, or such a portion of the same as shall suffice for
the ends of justice in a definitive sentence, or whatever measure may be
taken, and to declare my accusation fully proved, and the said Leonardo
Phelipe guilty of the abovementioned offences, condemning him to the
heaviest punishments by law thereto affixed, and executing them upon his
person and goods, by turning him over to the secular arm of justice, as
a punishment to himself and a terror to others. And I request that if
necessary, he may be put to the torture, and that the same be continued
and repeated till he confess the whole truth of himself and others.
And I formally swear that I do not present this accusation out of
malice, but solely to accomplish the ends of justice, which I request at
the hands of your Excellency.
DAMIAN FONOLLEDA, _Sec’y_.
* * * * *
The above accusation having been presented and read, the said Leonardo
Phelipe was formally sworn to declare the truth in answer thereto, and
it being read over, article by article, he answered as follows.
To the head of the accusation he answered, that he was the same Leonardo
Phelipe whom the Fiscal accused, but that he had not committed any
offences against our Holy Catholic Faith, nor denied our Lord, although
he had sometimes sworn by his name.
To the first article he answered, that he had always confessed like
other Christians, and in Valencia had not suffered a year to pass
without doing so, and that he had never been excommunicated on this
account.
To the second article he answered, that he denied it, for it was not
true that he had no rosary. He made use of one in his prison eleven
times, and now exhibited the same in his hands; which I, the Secretary,
testify.
To the third article he answered, that he denied it, for it was not
true; and that during the said Passion Week, in the last Lent, he had
confessed in the convent of St Francisco, in Tarragona; that he complied
with the precepts of the Church, as he had stated in his first audience,
and that this could be shown by the certificate of confession found upon
him at the time of his imprisonment.
To the fourth article he answered, that he denied it, for it was not
true.
To the fifth article he answered, that he denied it; that he trusted in
God, and a heretic could not say such things.
To the sixth article he answered, that he denied it, for it was not
true, and he could not imagine how such testimony could be borne against
him.
To the seventh article he answered, that he had not committed any
offence against our Holy Catholic Faith, nor knew that any other
persons had committed offences, and that he had declared the entire
truth and had not perjured himself.
To the conclusion of the accusation, he answered that even if he were
put to the torture he could say nothing more.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the prisoner, and having
been read, was declared by him to be correctly recorded. Not being able
to write, I, the Inquisitor sign the same.
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
* * * * *
The said Inquisitor then ordered the prisoner to be furnished with a
copy of the accusation, that he might on the third day make an answer
thereto with the counsel and assistance of one of the lawyers who defend
cases in this Holy Office, namely, Dr Francisco Magrinya, and the Rector
of the Company of Jesus. He was allowed to select one of these persons
and made choice of Dr Magrinya.
The Inquisitor then ordered him to be summoned, and the prisoner having
been admonished to bethink himself, was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE TO COMMUNICATE THE ACCUSATION AND PROOF.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyninth
day of May, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor,
Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole at his morning audience,
ordered the abovementioned Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison;
which being done, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his cause which he was
bound by his oath to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that Dr Francisco Magrinya was present, whom he had
chosen for his advocate, and that he might confer with him about his
defence. The said Dr Magrinya swore _in verbo sacerdotis_ to defend well
and faithfully the said Leonardo Phelipe so far as justice allowed, to
inform him if his case was not a good one, to do all which a good
advocate is bound to do, and to preserve secrecy in everything.
The confessions of the prisoner were then read, together with the
accusation and his answers, and the prisoner conferred with his advocate
who advised him as the best means of discharging his conscience and
despatching his trial, to confess the truth without bearing falsewitness
either against himself or any other person, and, if he were guilty, to
beg pardon, by which he would experience mercy.
Answered, that he had declared the truth in his confessions, and denied
the accusation so far as it went beyond this. He begged in consequence
to be set at liberty, and to be mercifully dealt with, for what he had
confessed. He declared, that after publication of the testimony, he
should more formally present matter for his defence.
The Inquisitor then ordered this to be notified to the Promoter Fiscal
of this Holy Office, upon which Mattheo Magre, the senior Secretary,
acting as Fiscal, answered, that he accepted the confessions of the said
Leonardo Phelipe, so far as they were favorable to the accusation, and
no farther, denying all the rest. He requested that the proofs might be
exhibited.
The Inquisitor declared that the cause should be judged definitively,
and the proofs received _salvo jure impertinentium et non
admittendorum_, according to the style of the Holy Office. The same was
notified to both parties.
The Promoter Fiscal then stated that he produced anew and presented the
testimony and proofs against the said Leonardo Phelipe, received and
registered in the Holy Office. He requested that they might be
substantiated and ratified in form, that all other necessary
investigations might be made and the testimony published.
The prisoner then being exhorted to bethink himself and declare the
truth, was remanded to prison, which I, the abovementioned Secretary
certify.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR PUBLICATION.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the seventeenth
day of June, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor,
Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his morning audience,
ordered the abovementioned Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison;
which being done, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair, which he
was bound by his oath to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that the Promotor Fiscal of this Holy Office was
about to demand publication of the testimony against him, before which
it would be well for him to confess the whole truth, by which means his
trial should be despatched with all brevity and mercy.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Straightway appeared the Secretary, Mattheo Magre, who officiated as
Fiscal, and requested publication of the testimony against the said
Leonardo Phelipe according to the style of the Holy Office. The
Inquisitor then ordered the said publication to be made, concealing the
names and other circumstances of the witnesses which might lead to a
discovery of their persons, according to the instructions and style of
the Holy Office.
[_Here follows the publication, and the answers of the prisoner,
corresponding with what has already been given._]
The Inquisitor then directed him to be furnished with a copy of the
above publication, that he might, with the assistance of his counsel,
reply thereto on the third day. Whereupon being admonished to bethink
himself and declare the truth, he was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE TO COMMUNICATE THE PUBLICATION.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentysecond
day of June, one thousand six hundred and thirty seven, the Inquisitor,
Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his morning audience,
ordered the above Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison; which
being done, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair, which he
was bound by his oath to divulge.
Answered, that by reason of the troubles which arose in his house, he
had sometimes broken out into swearing, saying, ‘the devil take me if
this is not true.’
He was then informed that Dr Francisco Magrinya, his advocate was
present, with whom he might communicate respecting the publication, and
other matters of his defence. The publication and the answers of the
prisoner, &c. were then read to the said Dr Francisco Magrinya, who drew
up articles of defence upon a paper prepared by the Secretary. Here the
audience closed, and the prisoner being admonished to bethink himself,
was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
AUDIENCE FOR THE DEFENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyfifth
day of June, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitor,
Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta presiding sole in his morning audience,
ordered the above Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison; which
being done, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair, which he
was bound by his oath to divulge.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
He was then informed that Dr Francisco Magrinya, his advocate, was
present, and had arranged his defence, which he might examine. The said
Dr Francisco Magrinya then read to him certain articles which he had
drawn up in his favor, and this having been heard by the prisoner, he
declared that he made a presentation of the same, and requested an
examination of the witnesses named in the margin, and that the other
investigations referred to might be made.
DEFENCE.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR--
Although Bernardo Phelippe, an inhabitant of the city of Tarragona has
no necessity for any defence against the charges of the Promoter Fiscal
of this Holy Office, yet the more clearly to show his innocence, and
premising expressly that what he declares against the witnesses is not
with an intention to injure or defame them, but solely to defend
himself, _onere superflux probationis rejecto_, he offers the
following:--
1. It is not true that he has abjured, sworn or blasphemed the head of
God, or uttered any other blasphemies, which statement is the truth.
2. It is not true that he has neglected to hear mass on the Sundays and
holidays appointed, or neglected to confess and take the sacrament every
year, or been excommunicated on such account; which is the truth.
3. The witnesses who depose against him, turn all his oaths into
swearing, ‘by the head of God,’ which is the truth.
4. Even though, (_quod expresse negat_) he may have at sometimes sworn
‘by the head of God,’ yet it was done in the heat of passion, and
inasmuch as _de jure prima motus non sit in homine_, nothing bad can be
imputed to him, which is the truth.
5. In addition to this, the above witnesses are single witnesses,
disagree among themselves, and are not deserving of credit, inasmuch as
_non det fides testibus singularibus_, which is the truth.
6. The prisoner, although a Frenchman, is still a good Christian, and
not at all of suspicious faith. He hears mass on the Sundays and
holidays appointed, as many can testify who have seen him; which is the
truth.
7. He also confesses and takes the sacrament every year at Easter, and
other times at the hands of the Guardian of the Convent of St Francisco
and the Sacristan, as may be seen by his certificate of confession given
at the last Lent, and which he now presents as a testimonial in his
favor solely; which is the truth.
8. There is also the same reason for believing that he has confessed on
every Easter, as can be seen by the books of confession kept by the
Curates; which is the truth.
9. He who states one falsehood is not to be believed in any other
assertion, and inasmuch as the witnesses against the prisoner affirmed
that he did not confess throughout the year, but was excommunicated, and
declared so, for not complying with the ordinances, and that he did not
wear a rosary, all which has been shown to be false by his certificate,
and the rosary found upon him; for this reason they cannot be believed,
when they state that he does not hear mass, and that he swears and
blasphemes; which is the truth.
10. The prisoner suspects that one of the witnesses against him is a
young man of about twenty years of age, and a mortal enemy of the
prisoner. This, added to the circumstance of his being a minor, should
cause his testimony to be rejected; which is the truth.
11. The testimony of the other witness also should be rejected, as he
supposes this person to be his wife, who leads a quarrelsome life with
him, and bears him great enmity; which is the truth.
12. The prisoner supposes that the cause of the misfortune in which he
now finds himself, is, his having given his wife a good beating on the
festival of the Resurrection, on which account she probably has
directed her malice against him, and suborned the other witnesses; which
is the truth.
13. The same hatred is borne against him by Joseph Lleonart, his son, on
account of the prisoner’s having pawned an anvil, at which his son was
displeased; which is the truth.
14. The said Bernardo Phelippe is reputed throughout all the city of
Tarragona to be an honest man and a good Christian, attending mass at
the church with much punctuality on the days appointed, and confessing
and taking the sacrament at the proper time, as proved by his
certificate; which is the truth.
15. The said Bernardo Phelippe has never been imprisoned or punished by
this or any other tribunal; which is the truth.
16. From all which it appears that the said Phelippe is free from all
the offences charged upon him, and ought to be absolved and released
from the prison in which he is confined, experiencing mercy, which also
would be justice, _vel alias omni meliori modo quod de jure sibi
adaptari valeat, et verum_.
17. _Ponit quod omnia et singula sunt vera, super quibus jus diei et
justitiam ministrari postulat, et verun._
F. MAGRINYA.
The Inquisitor ordered the above to be placed among the proceedings of
the trial, and declared that he was ready to make the necessary
investigations. Whereupon the prisoner, being admonished, was remanded
to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
TO THE CANON JOAN FERRER, COMMISSARY.
Leonardo Phelipe, needlemaker, an inhabitant of this city, and now in
the secret prison of this Holy Office, on account of an action brought
against him by the Licentiate Don Andres Panyagua, Fiscal of this
Inquisition, has presented in his defence the following articles or
interrogatives, namely--
1. That the said Leonardo Phelipe, although a Frenchman, yet is a good
Christian, and not in anything to be suspected of Lutheranism or any
other heresy; that as such, he hears mass every Sunday and holiday
prescribed, as can be proved by many witnesses.
2. That he also confesses and takes the sacrament every year, at Easter
and other times, as can be shown by his certificate of confession
received during last Lent, and which he exhibits in his defence.
3. That the wife of the said Leonardo Phelipe treats him badly, and
bears him great hatred, and has brought him into this trouble because he
gave her a good beating on the festival of the Resurrection last, which
greatly increased her hatred towards him.
4. That the same enmity is borne towards him by Joseph Leonardo, his
son, with whom he had an altercation on account of his having pawned an
anvil against the inclination of his son, for which reason he concerted
with his mother this proceeding against the prisoner.
5. That the said Leonardo Phelipe is reputed throughout all the city of
Tarragona to be an honest man, and a good Christian, attending church
punctually to hear mass on the days appointed, and confessing and taking
the sacrament at the proper times.
On which account you will, on the reception of this, proceed to collect
information respecting the matter contained in the above interrogatives,
in favor of the said Leonardo Phelipe, examining the witnesses named in
the margin opposite each article, which is to be done in the presence of
the Notary, with the other legal formalities, and according to the
printed formula held by the commissaries. You will also take a copy of
the register in the church records referred to in the second article.
All which being done, you will forward the proceedings, sealed, with all
brevity to our hands.
For the above undertaking we grant you full power and commission in
form. God preserve you.
DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.
The Inquisitor presiding alone.
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
Barcelona, June 25th, 1637.
* * * * *
In the city of Tarragona, on the eighteenth day of July, one thousand
six hundred and thirtyseven, before the illustrious Juan Ferrer,
Presbyter Canon of the Holy Church of Tarragona, Commissary of the Holy
Office of the Inquisition, and by particular commission from the most
illustrious Inquisitors Apostolical of the Principality of Catalonia,
appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth,
a person calling himself Father Pablo Morer, Guardian of the Monastery
and Convent of St Francisco in Tarragona, of age, as he stated, fortysix
years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if any one had attempted to persuade him to speak in favor
of any person imprisoned by the Holy Office.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if he knew the Fiscal of the Holy Office, or Leonardo Felipe
of the city of Tarragona imprisoned by the Holy Office of the
Inquisition.
Answered, that he knew neither of them.
He was then informed that the said Felipe presented him as a witness in
his defence, in a case brought against him by the Fiscal of the Holy
Office. He was directed to give attention while certain questions were
put to him, and declare the whole truth.
To the second question he answered that he knew nothing of the matter,
respecting which he was questioned, as he was not acquainted with the
person. To the last question, he answered that what he had stated was
the truth, and it being read, was declared by him to be correctly
recorded. He promised secrecy and signed his name.
_Pablo Morer._
Before me--
MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not’y of Tarragona_.
In the city of Tarragona, on the day, month, and year above specified,
before the illustrious Juan Ferrer, Presbyter, Commissary, &c. appeared
according to summons and swore to declare the truth, a person calling
himself Father Nicholas Gil, of the convent of St Francisco in this
city, of age, as he stated, fortyfour years or thereabout.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if any one had attempted to persuade him to speak in favor
of any person imprisoned by the Holy Office.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if he knew the Fiscal of the Holy Office, or Leonardo
Felipe, needlemaker, of this city, now in imprisonment by the Holy
Office.
Answered, that he had no knowledge of the Fiscal, but knew the said
Leonardo Felipe, and had held dealings with him.
He was then informed that the abovementioned Leonardo Felipe presented
him as a witness in a case brought against him by the said Fiscal. He
was directed to give attention while certain questions were put to him,
and declare the whole truth.
To the second question, he answered that he remembered to have heard the
confession of the said Leonardo Felipe once only during last Lent, but
could not remember whether he gave him a certificate or not.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and having
been read, was declared by him to be correctly recorded. He promised
secrecy and signed his name
PR. NICOLA GIL.
Before me--
MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not’y Public of Tarragona_.
* * * * *
[_Here follow the depositions in the same form with the preceding,
of various other witnesses in favor of the prisoner, relating to
matters alleged by him in his defence._]
AUDIENCE FOR CONCLUDING THE TRIAL.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the
twentyseventh day of June, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the
Inquisitors, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta and the Licentiate Don Blas
Alexandra de Lezaeta presiding in their afternoon audience, ordered the
abovementioned Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison, which being
done, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything which he was bound by his oath to
declare.
Answered, that he had nothing more to say.
Dr Francisco Magrinya, the prisoner’s advocate, being present, he was
informed that the investigations requested by him, had been made, and if
he wished the cause to be decided, it should be done, or if he wished
other measures to be taken, to state them, and all should be done which
justice permitted. Whereupon the said Leonardo Phelipe, by the advice
of his counsel, answered that he concluded definitively, and begged a
merciful sentence.
The Inquisitors then ordered the same to be notified to the Promoter
Fiscal of this Holy Office, in order that a conclusion might be made on
the third day. Whereupon the prisoner was remanded to prison.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.
The above order for conclusion was forthwith notified to the Licentiate
Don Andres Paniagua, Fiscal, by me, the Secretary,
RODRIGUEZ.
SENTENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyeighth
day of July, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the inquisitors,
Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, and the Licentiate Don Blas Alexandre de
Lezaeta presiding in their morning audience, (the Ordinary not attending
by reason of the Cabildo of Tarragona having neglected to appoint one to
this office _sede vacante_, although notified to this end, and the term
of eight days having expired) having examined the proceedings carried on
in the Holy Office against Leonardo Phelipe, a Frenchman by birth, and a
needlemaker by occupation, a native of the village of Agullon, in the
bishopric of Genes, and an inhabitant of the city of Tarragona, now in
the secret prison of this Holy Office,--
Ordered, unanimously, that this trial, without any other sentence, be
suspended, and remain as it is at present.
Before me--
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, _Sec’y_.
TRIAL OF DON ANTONIO ADORNO,
FOR NECROMANTICAL PRACTICES.
In the city of Valencia, on the thirteenth day of April, one thousand
seven hundred and fiftysix, before Dr Lorenzo Ballester, Presbyter,
Confessor to the secret prison of the Holy Office, and before the
Extraordinary Commissary for this investigation, appeared voluntarily,
and made oath to declare the truth, and preserve secrecy, a person
calling himself Joaquim Gil, scrivener, residing in the house of Felipe
Matheu in the Calle del Mar of this city, a native of Puebla de Arenoso,
in this archbishopric, of age, as he stated, twentyfour years.
Questioned, why he had demanded an audience.
Answered, that it was for the purpose of giving information to the Holy
Office respecting a certain soldier of the regiment of Asturias in the
garrison of this city. This person was called Don Antonio, and was by
birth a Neapolitan, a robust, middle sized man, with a dark complexion,
and about twentyfour or twentyfive years of age, which was all the
description the deponent could give. On the evening of the eleventh of
the present month, the deponent and the abovementioned Felipe Matheu
were in company with five soldiers at the house of the said Matheu.
Among these was the abovenamed Don Antonio, and this person declared in
conversation with the deponent that he possessed the faculty of
discovering the thief when a thing was stolen. This he had performed in
the following manner. On a certain occasion one of his friends was
lamenting the loss of some money which had been stolen from him, when
he, the said Don Antonio, replied, that he would discover the thief. He
then wrote the names of all the persons present upon separate pieces of
paper, and threw them into the fire. Those which contained the names of
the innocent were consumed, but the one containing that of the thief
remained. Nobody was able to take this out of the fire except Don
Antonio. The paper was kept from consuming by the power of the words
_Christo Señor Nuestro_, uttered by him, and it was drawn out from among
the coals by the help of this expression; _‘Ego sum. Factus est homo.
Consummatum est_.’ Besides this he knew another way of practising this
divination; and this was to collect the ashes made by the papers, and
rub them on the back of his hand, where they would leave marked the name
of the thief. Furthermore he stated that he possessed another method of
accomplishing this purpose, but this he did not explain.
This conversation having been heard by the abovementioned Felipe Matheu,
he rebuked Don Antonio, and this last replied that what he had done he
would repeat even before the Inquisitors, or, if that was of any
consequence, after communion, inasmuch as he used the words which had
been uttered by Christ. Proceeding in the conversation with the
deponent, he told him that he had some instruments in his pocket which
were useful for many things. He then drew from his right pocket a paper
folded up and containing two or three coils of something which the
deponent did not see distinctly, on account of the darkness, but felt
and handled them. The deponent asked Don Antonio where he had obtained
the above knowledge. He replied that he had got it by studying a book of
magic which he possessed; that he had learned from this the secret of
making himself invisible, and also to render a man invulnerable to
thrusts with a sword, a trial of which last he would make upon a dog or
cat and show the efficacy of it. The deponent asked him if he knew any
secrets relative to playing at ball. He answered that he did not
remember any at present, but would make some researches and call upon
the deponent at his house, when he would teach him a secret to gain the
favor of the ladies. This was agreed to, and the deponent described the
house to him. He offered him money if he would discover all his arts,
which he did for the purpose of laying the whole before the Holy Office
for the benefit of the Catholic Faith.
Questioned, if any other persons heard the above conversation, or knew
anything relating to it.
Answered, that the abovementioned Felipe Matheu heard a great part of
it, as also Joseph Masquef, scrivener, who lived in the same house,
Joseph Jordan, a servant, and two Alguacils, a father and son, who were
in the company, and whose names he did not know.
Questioned, if he had made this declaration out of any malice which he
bore to the said Don Antonio.
Answered, that he had made it solely from the impulse of his conscience,
and because he believed the above things were contrary to our Holy
Faith. He affirmed that the whole was the truth, promised secrecy, and
signed his name.
JOAQUIM GIL.
Before me--
DR JOSEPH MONTES,
_Presbyter Notary of the Holy Office_.
* * * * *
In the city of Valencia, on the seventeenth day of April, one thousand
seven hundred and fiftysix, before Dr Lorenzo Ballester, Confessor to
the secret prison of the Holy Office and Extraordinary Commissary for
this investigation, appeared voluntarily and made oath to declare the
truth, and preserve secrecy, Joaquim Gil, &c.
Questioned, why he had demanded an audience.
Answered, on account of the declaration made by him before the present
Commissary respecting a certain Don Antonio, of the company of Don Jorge
Duran, in the regiment of Asturias. This man, in addition to the
peculiarities of his person before described, had a scar above his left
eyebrow, apparently the effect of a wound, and a dint of the size of a
filbert in the top of his forehead, with black and rather short hair. He
came to the house of the deponent on the fifteenth of this month
according to agreement, and after some conversation gave him a strip of
parchment, about a finger’s breadth wide and above a span long, this was
slit through the middle lengthwise and had written on it the following
words. _‘Ego + sum. Exe + homo consummatum est. Ego Juaginus Aprecor
Dominum Nostri Jesu Christi in vitam eternam seculi seculorum libera me
de omnibus rebus de ignis cautius et omnia instrumenta hominum detentat
me hac die hac nocte custote rege et cuberna me Amen._ This was rolled
up in lead with a small piece of bone, and Don Antonio told him to wear
it in the shape of a cross, next to his skin, near the heart, and it
would shield him effectually from all thrusts with a sword. It was
exhibited by the deponent.
He also gave him another strip of parchment of half a finger in breadth,
and above two yards long. At one extremity was drawn with ink a leg and
foot, and at the other a heart with a cross above it. Other figures and
letters were drawn in different parts. With this he proceeded to take
divers measurements upon the body of the deponent, as, from one shoulder
to the other, from the shoulder to the chin and nose, &c. This he
informed him would secure him from being wounded, if he used it in the
following manner. He was to rub it with the wax which dripped from the
tapers burnt during the celebration of mass. This was to be done on nine
several days during mass, keeping it under his cloak, and taking care
that no one saw him. Afterwards it was to be worn in the shape of a
cross, next the skin, near the heart. He gave him at the same time three
bits of parchment, each about three fingers’ breadth long and one wide.
Two of these contained each two lines of writing, and the other three.
They were severally numbered on the back, 1, 2, 3. To these were added
another, very small, also written over.
He informed him that by the help of these he could perform any kind of
divination, and that if he wore the thinnest of these parchments upon
his left little finger, under a white stone set in a ring, he would be
directed by it in the following manner. Whenever the stone turned red,
he might play at any game which was going on, except dice or _quillas_,
and be sure to gain; but if the stone turned black, he would lose by
playing. Before any such use, however, was made of the parchments, he
was directed to put them in the shoe of his left foot, near the ankle,
and to sprinkle them with the water used by the priest at mass. These
parchments were also exhibited.
The deponent requested Don Antonio to show him the book of magic which
he had mentioned, but he declined, alleging that the deponent could not
read nor understand it.
Questioned, if he knew, or had heard that the said Don Antonio Adorno
had any temporary insanity, or was given to wine, and if any other
person was present during the last conversation.
Answered, that he knew not whether he was subject to any such
irregularities, and that no other person was present during their last
interview. He declared that the whole of the declaration was the truth,
and not uttered by him from malice or ill feeling, but solely in
obedience to his conscience and oath. Secrecy was promised by him, and
he added his signature.
JOAQUIM GIL.
Before me--
DR JOSEPH MONTES, _Presbyter Notary
of the Holy Office_.
* * * * *
In the city of Valencia, on the fourteenth day of April, one thousand
seven hundred and fiftysix, before Dr Lorenzo Ballester, Presbyter,
Confessor of the secret prison of the Holy Office, appeared, according
to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy,
Joseph Sanches Masquefa, scrivener, residing in the house of Felipe
Matheu, scrivener, of this city, a native of the city of Origuela, of
age, as he stated, nineteen years.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he did not know, but supposed it to be for the purpose of
learning what he had heard of a conversation in which a certain soldier
of the regiment of Asturias, in the garrison of this city, was engaged;
this person, who, as he had been informed was named Don Antonio * * *
and was by birth a Neapolitan, was of a middling height, somewhat full
faced, dark complexioned, and about twenty or twentytwo years of age. On
the evening of the eleventh of the present month, discoursing upon
various subjects, this person remarked that he was acquainted with
several arts, and in particular knew one by which he could ascertain who
was the thief when a theft had been committed, and which he had
practised on the following occasion. A soldier of his regiment had
stolen two or three dollars from another, at which the sergeant was
expressing his displeasure, and Don Antonio told him that if he would
promise no harm should ensue to the thief or himself, he would discover
who had stolen it. This the sergeant agreed to, and Don Antonio wrote
the names of all who were suspected of the theft upon pieces of paper.
These he put into the fire, where they were all consumed except the one
bearing the name of the thief. This was seen by all present, and some of
them endeavoured to snatch it from the flames but were unable. Don
Antonio alone was able to perform this action, and when the name of the
thief was read, he was searched and the money found in his stockings.
This relation having been listened to by Felipe Matheu, he asserted that
the thing could not be done unless by a league with the devil, and that
it was a matter which ought to be laid before the Inquisition. Don
Antonio replied that it was an action which he should not hesitate to
perform immediately after confession and communion, for it was done by
uttering words that had been spoken by Christ; that is to say, ‘_Ego
sum, Christus factus est homo, consummatum est_,’ expressions which were
good and holy. A conversation then ensued in Italian, between Don
Antonio and Joseph * * * a servant in the house of Felipe Matheu, which
was not understood by the deponent. The conversation was broken off by
the said Matheu.
Questioned, if any other persons were present at this conversation,
besides those already named.
Answered, that there were also present Joseph Gil, a scrivener, in the
same house, two Alguacils, one of whom was named Alba, and three
soldiers of the regiment abovementioned, whose names he did not know.
Questioned, if he knew whether the said Don Antonio was subject to any
occasional insanity, or was given to wine.
Answered, that he knew not of his being subject to any such
irregularities, and that the above conversation was maintained on his
part with much seriousness. The above is the substance of what is known
to him respecting the matter, and not related from malice toward the
said Don Antonio, but solely according to his conscience and oath. It
was read in his hearing and declared by him to be the truth. Secrecy was
enjoined upon him, which he promised, and added his signature.
JOSEPH SANCHEZ Y MASQUEFA.
Before me--
JOSEPH MONTES, _Presbyter Notary
of the Holy Office_.
[_Here follow, in the original, the depositions of the other witnesses
mentioned above as present on the occasion. These are omitted, as they
do but repeat what has been already related._]
CALIFICACION.
In the Holy Office of the Inquisition of Valencia, on the seventeenth
day of May, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitor, Dr
Don Inigo Ortiz de la Peña being at his morning audience, in which he
presided alone, there appeared the Calificadores, Padre Francisco Siges,
of the Order of Mercy, Padre Antonio Mira, Jesuit, Ex-Rector of the
college of San Pablo, Padre Juan Bautista Llopis, of the Order of Mercy,
and Padre Augustin de Vinaros, Ex-Provincial of the Convent of
Capuchins, who, having conferred together respecting the acts and
assertions now to be specified, qualified them in the following manner,
viz.
1st. The person in question, in the presence of many others, on the
night of a certain day which is named, declared that he possessed the
power when anything was stolen, to ascertain who was the thief; and in
proof of this, the said person, on the same occasion declared that in a
former instance, when a quantity of money had been stolen, and search
was making for the thief, he offered, upon the condition that no harm
should ensue to him or the culprit, to find him out; which being agreed
to, he wrote the names of those whom he suspected of the theft upon
papers and put them in a fire, when those containing the names of the
innocent were consumed, and that of the guilty one remained. He then
uttered certain words, which signified ‘_Christ our Lord_,’ by virtue of
which the name of the delinquent was preserved from burning. And by
virtue of these, words, ‘_Ego sum; factus est Homo; consummatum est_,’
the paper was drawn from the fire. The name of the thief was then read,
and the money found upon him within his stockings.
_Declared unanimously that this contains a profession of superstitious
necromancy, and a practice of the same, with the effects following; also
an abuse of the sacred scripture._
2d. The assertions in the above article having been listened to, it was
replied to this person that the thing could not be done without some
pact with the devil, to which he answered that it was so honest and just
a deed that he would perform it immediately after confession and
communion, and even before the Inquisitors, inasmuch as it was done by
repeating the words of Christ, which were the Latin expressions given in
the first article. It was repeated that the thing could not be done in
this manner, and that it ought to be denounced to the Inquisition;
whereupon this person persisted in his assertions. He also stated that
he knew another way of performing the same kind of divination, which was
by collecting the ashes made by burning the papers, and rubbing them
upon the back of his hand, where they would leave impressed the name of
the culprit. He furthermore asserted that he knew another method, which
he did not explain.
_Declared unanimously that this contains a confirmation of the
preceding, with a heretical assertion, and a new profession of
necromancy._
3d. The same person continuing the above conversation, asserted that he
possessed certain instruments which were useful for many things, and
proceeded to take from his right breeches’ pocket a paper containing
three or four folds of something, which were not distinctly seen by
reason of the night. And it being demanded of him where he had learned
his arts, he replied that he had obtained them from a book of magic in
his possession, which taught him how to do whatever he desired.
_Declared unanimously that this contains another profession like that
already qualified._
4th. He declared to the person to whom the above assertions were made,
that out of the abovementioned book he could acquire the art of making
himself invisible; also that in this manner a man could be made
invulnerable to the thrust of a sword; in proof of which he would make
trial upon the body of a dog or cat, that they might see the truth of
it.
_Declared unanimously that this contains a new profession of
necromancy._
5th. The person who bore witness to these proceedings having asked him
whether he knew any art respecting playing at ball, he replied that he
did not at present, but would make researches and come to the house of
the above person, where he would teach him other arts which he knew, to
gain the favor of the ladies. This was agreed upon, and this person gave
him directions to find his house, offering him money if he would make
these disclosures to him, all with a view to give information of the
same to the Holy Office, in order to purify our Holy Faith, and
extirpate everything contrary thereto.
_Declared unanimously that this contains a profession of necromancy
qualified as above, with the addition of an amatory necromantical
practice._
6th. Some days after this, in consequence of the above agreement, he
went to the said person’s house, where he gave him a strip of parchment
about a finger’s breadth wide, and a span long, slit through the middle
and united at the extremity, on which was written the following. ‘_Ego +
sum, Exe + Homo, consummatum + est, Ego Joaquinus Aprecor Domini nostri
Jesu Christi in vitam eternam seculi seculorum, libera me de omnibus
rebus, de ignis cautus et omnia instrumenta hominum detenta me ach die,
ach nocte, custode rege et gubername amen._’ This was rolled up within
a piece of lead and a portion of bone, and, according to his direction,
was to be worn next the skin, near the arm, in the shape of a cross.
This would, as he asserted, secure the wearer against any thrusts with a
sword. The articles have been exhibited.
_Declared unanimously that this contains a practice with instruments of
superstitious necromancy, added to a doctrine for their application
which is abusive of the sacred scripture and insulting to the holy
cross._
7th. On the same occasion, he gave to this person another piece of
parchment, half a finger’s breadth wide, and above two yards long, at
one end of which was drawn with ink a leg and foot, and at the other a
heart surmounted by a cross, with other figures and letters in different
parts. With this he took divers measures upon the body of the person
abovementioned, from one shoulder to the other, from the shoulder to the
chin and nose, from the chin to the stomach, measuring also the face,
which he informed him was done to secure him from wounds. He directed
him to rub it over with the wax which dripped from the tapers burnt
during the celebration of mass. This was to be done on nine several
days, and the operation was to be concealed from view by his cloak. The
parchment was exhibited.
_Declared unanimously, that this contains an additional profession of
necromancy, with an exhibition of additional necromantical instruments,
and the method of using them, added to an insult to the holy sacrifice
of the mass and the holy cross._
8th. On the same occasion, he gave to this person three bits of
parchment three fingers’ breadth long, and one wide each; two of them
containing each two lines of writing, and the other three, all numbered
on the back; also another written parchment. He directed him to wear the
thinnest of these pieces on the little finger of his left hand, under a
white stone set in a ring, and informed him that when this stone turned
red he might play at any game except dice or _las quillas_, with a
certainty of winning, but if it should turn black he was to abstain from
playing. The parchments abovementioned were, before this was done, to be
placed inside his right shoe, next the ancle, and sprinkled with the
Holy Water used at mass, after which they were to be worn next the
heart. The parchments were exhibited.
_Declared unanimously, that this contains an additional profession and
doctrine of superstitious necromancy, with an additional method of
practising it, added to a new insult to the sacred ceremonies of the
mass._
9th. The said person having requested to see the book of magic which he
declared was in his possession, he refused to exhibit the same,
declaring that the person who made the demand would not be able to read
or understand it, but that he had studied the whole in a certain place
which he named.
_Declared unanimously, that this contains a profession of possessing a
book of magic, and studying the same for the purpose of practising it._
Finally declared unanimously, that the person under qualification be
pronounced under suspicion _de levi_.
FR. FRANCISCO SIGES,
P. ANTONIO MIRA,
FR. JUAN BA. LLOPIS,
FR. AUGUSTIN DE VINAROS.
DON JOACHIN DE ESPLUGUES Y PALAVICINO,
_Secretary_.
* * * * *
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Valencia, on the twentieth day
of May, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitors
Licentiate Don Antonio, Pelegen Venero, and Don Inigo Ortiz de la Peña
being at their morning audience, having examined the information
received in this Holy Office against Don Antonio Adorno, a soldier in
the regiment of Asturias, belonging to the company of Don Jorge Duran,
by birth a Neapolitan, and a resident in this city, for the crimes of
professing necromancy and amatory divination, and practising the same
with insult to the holy sacrifice of the mass and the holy cross--
Ordered unanimously, that the said Don Antonia Adorno be confined in the
secret prison of this Holy Office; that his property be sequestered; his
papers, books, and instruments seized, and arranged for his accusation.
Ordered further, that before execution, this be submitted to the members
of His Majesty’s Council of the Holy General Inquisition.
DON JOACHIN DE ESPLUGUES Y PALAVICINO,
_Secretary_.
[_In this part of the trial are inserted the originals of fourteen
letters, received from the different Inquisitions in the kingdom,
stating that their records had been examined without finding anything
against the prisoner. Also a letter from the Grand Council of the
Inquisition at Madrid, confirming the above order._]
* * * * *
In Council May 31st, 1756.
The Dicasts Ravazo, Berz, Barreda, and Herreros.
Let justice be executed according to the above order.
TO OUR CALIFICATOR DR BOXO, AND THE FAMILIARS NAMED IN THIS LETTER.
Don Antonio Adorno, the subject of the accompanying warrant of
imprisonment, is a soldier in the company of Don Jorge Duran, belonging
to the regiment of Asturias. He is a Neapolitan by birth, of a middling
height, robust, dark complexioned, with a long scar over his left
eyebrow, and a dint in the top of his forehead. His age is twentyfour or
twentyfive years. In order to apprehend him, our Calificator, Dr Joseph
Boxo, will conduct himself in the following manner:--
He will consult, with great secrecy and caution, accompanied by our
Familiar Francisco Suñer, or, in his absence, any other Familiar in that
neighborhood, as Notary, the Colonel or Commander of the regiment, where
the said Don Antonio Adorno shall be found, and if necessary, exhibit to
him the Warrant. His assistance is to be required in the apprehension,
which being performed, his person is to be immediately identified. All
the papers, books, and instruments found upon him are to be seized, as
well as those which may be found among his baggage. Care should be taken
that he may have no time to conceal anything, and all the effects
seized, the Calificador will remove to his own house. At the same time,
all his other property, if he possess any, will be sequestered, an
inventory thereof being taken, and the whole left in the hands of such
person as the Colonel or Commander may appoint for the safe keeping of
the same, commanding him not to part with anything without our order. If
any cash should be met with, the Calificador will secure it, as well as
the clothes for the use of the prisoner, all which are to be transported
to his house along with the papers, books, and instruments above
specified.
This done, the Familiar Suñer, or whoever shall act as Notary, will
divest him of every kind of offensive weapon, and conduct him to the
town of Arbos on horseback, without pinioning him, as this is only
directed in cases where an escape is attempted. Two stout fellows armed
will guard him on each side. At Arbos, he is to be delivered into the
hands of our Familiar Raymundo Freiras, an inhabitant of that place.
Should he not be at hand, the prisoner is to be brought onward to
Vilafranca and committed to the care of our Familiar Pedro Batlle, along
with the papers, books, instruments, money, and clothes of the prisoner,
all which are to be brought from the place of his arrest, as well as
the warrant for his imprisonment, a copy of the inventory of his goods,
this letter, and the adjoined passport for the Gate of the Angel in this
city. The transfer being made to any one of the abovementioned
Familiars, a receipt will be taken, which it is to be transmitted to
this tribunal, as also a bill of the expenses paid by the person
receiving it, from the time he undertook the business till his return
home, specifying the pay of the guard, horse hire, his own and the
prisoner’s expenses.
The Familiar of Arbos or Vilafranca, will, in the same manner, transport
him with whatever he may receive from the Familiar of Reus, to this
city, which he will enter at dusk just before the gates are shut. He
will enter at the Gate of the Angel, and present the accompanying
passport of the Governor to the Officer of the Guard. Should the Patrol
demand to see it, it may be exhibited to them, after which he will
proceed directly to this Royal Palace of the Inquisition, and inquire
for the Alcayde. Into his hands will then be delivered the prisoner, and
all the effects pertaining to him, together with the warrant of
imprisonment, the inventory of the goods, and this letter. The next day
he will come before this tribunal and give a relation of his
proceedings. God preserve you.
Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, June 30th, 1756
The Licentiate,
D. JOSEPH DE OTERO Y COSSIO.
The Licentiate,
DON MANUEL DE GUELL Y SERRA.
JUAN ANTONIO ALMONACID, _Sec’y_.
ANSWER.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SEÑORES.
Until the 10th of the present month I was not able to succeed in
apprehending Don Antonio Adorno, as he did not make his appearance in
this quarter before that date. The capture was made with great caution,
the commander having contrived to deliver him into my hands in the
prison of the regiment, from which place he proceeds this day, Tuesday,
July 13th, under the care of the Familiar Rafel Bellveny, the Familiar
Francisco Suñez being sick.
No inventory of his property was taken, as none was to be found either
upon his person or in his knapsack, except the papers herewith
transmitted, and a book containing various documents respecting the
nobility of the house of Adorno. No money has been found, and the
prisoner is considerably in debt to the regiment. The commander has kept
every article of his clothing, so that it has been necessary to purchase
a suit for him. God preserve your Excellencies many years.
DR JOSEPH BOXO, _Calificador and
Commissary of the Holy Office_.
Reus, July 13th, 1756.
FIRST AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the fifth day of
August, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitor,
Licentiate Dr Joseph de Otero y Cossio, being at his morning audience,
ordered to be brought out of prison, a person calling himself Don
Antonio Adorno, a native of the city of Genoa, aged twentyseven years,
who was sworn to declare the truth, and preserve secrecy as well on this
as on all other occasions, till the decision of his cause.
Questioned, his name, birthplace, age, occupation, and the date of his
imprisonment.
Answered, that he was born, as above stated, in the city of Genoa, that
his age was twentyseven years, that he was a soldier in the infantry
regiment of Asturias, company of Don Jorge Duran, and that he was
arrested on the tenth of the last month.
Questioned, who was his father, mother, grandfather, uncles, &c.
[_Here follows the genealogy of the prisoner._]
Questioned, of what lineage and stock were his abovementioned ancestors
and collateral relatives, and whether any one of them, or he himself,
had ever been imprisoned or put under penance by the Holy Office of the
Inquisition.
Answered, that his family was noble, as above stated, and that neither
he, nor any one of them had ever been punished or put under penance by
the Holy Office.
Questioned, if he was a baptized and confirmed Christian, and heard
mass, confessed, and communed, at such times as the Church directed.
Answered, Yes; and the last time he confessed was to Father Fr.
Antonio ----, (his name he did not know) a barefoot Friar of the Convent
of the Holy Trinity; and that he partook of the sacrament in this
Convent in the city of Valencia, where his regiment was then stationed.
Here the prisoner crossed himself, repeated the _Pater Noster_, _Ave
Maria_, and _Credo_, in Spanish, without fault, and answered properly to
all the questions respecting the Christian doctrine.
Questioned, if he could read or write, or had studied any science.
Answered, that he could read, write, and cipher, having learned of Dr
Francisco Labatra, in Vienna; and that he had studied grammar in the
Colegio de los Praxistas in this capital.
Questioned, what were the events of his life.
Answered, that he was born in Genoa; and while a boy, was carried by his
parents to Vienna, where he followed his studies as above stated. At the
age of sixteen he entered as a cadet in a regiment of infantry. After
serving here till twentytwo, the regiment was broken up, and he remained
with his mother at Vienna for the space of a month. He then set out for
Spain for the purpose of securing some property belonging to him by
inheritance from his ancestors in Bellpuix and other parts of the
kingdom. He landed at Barcelona, and proceeded to Bellpuix, Malaga,
Granada, and Seville; but, failing in his attempts to obtain his
property, he enlisted in the infantry regiment of Asturias then
quartered in this city. In this regiment he visited several parts and
cities of these kingdoms at their respective garrisons, and particularly
the kingdom of Valencia, from whence he proceeded to Reus, where he was
arrested.
Questioned, if he knew or suspected the cause of his imprisonment.
Answered, that he supposed it to be on account of some acts he had
performed to discover certain thieves in his company, which performances
he had executed with a degree of mystery and mummery to create wonder.
The facts were as follows.
In the Guard of the Duke of Berwick, at Valencia, some shirts and
stockings were stolen, and the commanding officer requested the prisoner
to make trial of one of his methods of discovering the thief, he having
before been a witness of the operation of one of them. He accordingly
assembled all the soldiers of the guard in a dark room, and informed
them they must each one put his finger into a cup of water, and that the
water would blacken the finger of the thief. Before the room was
darkened he showed them the cup containing a quantity of clear water.
They all agreed to the proposal, and the room was shut up so as to
exclude every ray of light. The prisoner then conveyed a quantity of ink
into the cup, and after making a preliminary harangue directed every one
to dip his finger within. This they all did except one whom he supposed
to be the thief. He wet his finger in his mouth lest it should be
discovered that he had not complied with the direction.
They now threw open the windows and found every man’s finger black but
that of the delinquent. The prisoner perceiving this and observing the
agitation which he manifested, exclaimed to him, ‘You are the thief;’
and finally compelled him to pay for the stolen articles.
In order more fully to impress them with the belief that this man was
guilty, the prisoner directed the commander of the guard to write the
name of each person on a piece of paper and burn it to ashes, informing
him that this ashes would give the impression of the name of the one who
was guilty, upon his hand. In order to effect this the prisoner wrote
with a certain liquor upon his own hand the name of Juan Antonio ----,
(his other name he did not remember) then showing himself to the company
he washed his hands before them, (taking care, however, not to rub them
much) and observed, ‘You see there is nothing now written upon my hand;
but when this list is burnt it will exhibit there the name of the
thief.’ The paper was then burnt, and he rubbed the ashes upon his hand,
when the letters made their appearance, and the prisoner gained the
reputation of a wizard, more especially in the conception of the said
Juan Antonio.
The prisoner declared that in the harangue abovementioned, he made use
of no prayers, and that the words which he uttered were made use of
solely to astound and amaze the hearers.
He was then informed that in this Holy Office it was not customary to
imprison any one without sufficient information that he had said, done,
or seen, or heard something contrary to the Holy Religion of God our
Lord, and the Holy Mother Apostolic Roman Church, or against the proper
and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office, in consequence of which he was
to understand that he was imprisoned on account of some such
information. Therefore he was exhorted in the name of God our Lord and
his glorious and blessed Mother our Lady the Virgin Mary, to bethink
himself and confess the whole truth in relation to the matter wherein he
felt guilty, or knew of the guilt of others, without concealing anything
or bearing false witness against any one, by doing which, justice should
be executed, and his trial despatched with all brevity and mercy.
Answered, that he recollected nothing more, and that what he had stated
above was the truth. His declarations were then read, and declared by
him to be correctly recorded. He was then admonished to bethink himself
and remanded to prison.
Signed by him,
M. ANTO. ADORNO.
DON JOSEPH DE NOBOA, _Sec’y_.
SECOND AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the seventh day
of August, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitors,
Licentiate Dr Joseph de Otero y Cossio, and Dr Manuel de Guell y Serra,
being at their morning audience, ordered the abovementioned Don Antonio
Adorno to be brought out of prison; which being done, and the prisoner
present, he was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair which he
was bound to divulge according to his oath.
Answered, No.
He was then informed, that he was aware he had, in the preceding
audience, been exhorted in the name of God, our Lord, &c.; and he was
anew exhorted in the same manner, by conforming to which he would acquit
himself like a Catholic Christian, and his trial should be despatched
with all brevity and mercy; otherwise justice should be executed.
Answered, that he had considered the exhortation, but had nothing to
add, and what he had above related was the truth, according to the oath
he had sworn. This declaration being read, was declared by him to be
correctly recorded, and, exhorted to bethink himself, he was remanded to
prison.
Signed by him,
M. ANTO. ADORNO.
DON JOSEPH DE NOBOA, _Sec’y_.
THIRD AUDIENCE.
In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twelfth day
of August, one thousand seven hundred and fiftysix, the Inquisitors,
Licentiate Dr Joseph de Otero y Cossio, and Dr Manuel de Guell y Serra,
being at their morning audience, ordered the said Don Antonio Adorno to
be brought out of prison; which being done, and the prisoner present, he
was
Questioned, if he remembered anything relating to his affair, which he
was bound to divulge according to his oath.
Answered, No.
He was then informed, that he was aware he had been exhorted in the
preceding audience, &c.
Answered, that he had considered the exhortation, but had nothing more
to say.
Straightway appeared the Licentiate Don Fausto Antonio de Astorquiza y
Urreta, Inquisitor Fiscal of this Holy Office, and presented an
accusation, signed by him, against the said Don Antonio Adorno, which
accusation he formally swore was not offered through malice. Here
follows the accusation.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIRS,
I, the Inquisitor Fiscal, appear before your Excellencies, and accuse
criminally Don Antonio Adorno, a native of the city of Genoa, aged
twentyseven years, a soldier in the regiment of Asturias, and at the
time of his arrest, in garrison, in the town of Reus, in this
principality, now attached to the secret prison of this Holy Office,
with his property sequestered, and present here in person--for that this
person, being a baptized and confirmed Christian, and not having the
fear of God, or the justice of your Excellencies before his eyes, has
committed heavy crimes against our Holy Catholic Faith, by professing
and practising various necromantical arts, with insult to the holy
sacrifice of the mass, its sacred ceremonies, and the holy cross; also
imparting his evil art and instruments to others, for their practice,
with the like insult to the holy cross and holy sacrifice of the mass.
On which account, I hold him at least to be suspected _de levi_ in the
faith, and accuse him of the whole, both in general and in particular.
1. The said person, on a time specified, and in the company of certain
persons named, declared that he was able when anything was stolen, to
discover the thief, and in proof of this assertion, stated that he had
formerly done this by writing the names upon papers, of some persons,
among whom a sum of money had been stolen, and putting the papers into
the fire, repeating the words, ‘_Ego sum; factus est homo, consummatum
est_.’ The papers were consumed, except that bearing the name of the
thief. None but the said person could take this paper out of the fire,
and the money was found upon the one designated.
2. Some one objecting to him, that this could not be done without some
pact with the devil, he replied that it was so justifiable an act, that
he would perform it immediately after mass or communion, and it being
declared a matter to be laid before the Inquisition, he affirmed that he
would do it in presence of the Inquisitors.
3. Furthermore, he asserted that he could execute the above purpose by
rubbing the ashes of the papers upon his hand, where it would leave
impressed the name of the thief; also, that he knew another method which
he did not explain. I request that he may be questioned what this method
is, where he learned it, and whether he has practised these two last,
uttering the words before specified.
4. Continuing the conversation with the abovementioned person, he
informed him that he possessed certain instruments of use in various
ways, and in fact showed him something folded up, which he took out of
his pocket. And, on being asked whence he obtained the knowledge of
these arts, replied that he learned them from a book of magic in his
possession, which enabled him to do whatever he pleased. I request that
he may be questioned respecting this book of magic, as well as the
contents of the abovementioned envelope.
5. He told this person that he could learn from the same book how to
make himself invisible, as well as invulnerable to the thrust of a
sword.
6. Being questioned by this person whether he knew any art relative to
playing at ball, he answered, not then, but that he would come to his
house, and reveal to him a secret for gaining the favor of the ladies.
7. He went accordingly to this house, and there gave to the said person
a strip of parchment bearing these words, ‘_Ego + sum. Exe + homo
consummatum + est. Ego Juaginus Aprecor Domini Nostri Jesu Christi in
vitam eternam seculi seculorum libera me de omnibus rebus de ignis
cautus et omnia instrumenta hominum detenta me ach die ach nocte custode
rege et guberna me Amen._’ This was rolled up with a piece of lead and
bone, and directed to be worn, in the shape of a cross, next the skin,
near the heart, which would make the wearer invulnerable. I request that
this parchment may be examined, and the prisoner questioned respecting
it.
8. He also gave the same person another strip of parchment, containing
various letters and figures, taking measures with it upon his body, for
the purpose of securing him from wounds. He directed him to rub this
over with the wax which dripped from the tapers during mass, and
afterwards to wear it next his skin. I request that this may likewise be
examined, and the prisoner questioned respecting it.
9. He furthermore gave to the same person four other written parchments,
directing him to wear one of them upon the little finger of his left
hand under a white stone set in a ring. When this stone turned red, he
might play at any game except dice or _las quillas_, and be sure to win;
but, if it turned black, he was not to play. He directed him further to
put these parchments in his right shoe and sprinkle them with holy
water, after which they were to be worn near the heart. I request that
these also may be examined, and the prisoner questioned concerning them.
10. The same person requesting to see the abovementioned book of magic,
he refused him, alleging that he could not read or understand it, but
that he, the prisoner, had studied the whole. I request that farther
investigations may be made respecting this book.
11. On another occasion, when some articles had been stolen, he
discovered the thief in this manner. Collecting all the suspected
persons in a dark room, he made a harangue, and ordered each man to dip
his finger into a cup containing water, informing them that the water
would blacken the finger of the thief. Before this was executed, he
conveyed some ink into the cup. Afterwards the windows were opened with
another harangue, and each man’s finger was found black with the
exception of one who had not obeyed the direction. This the prisoner
judged to be the thief. Without doubt the abovementioned harangues were
conformable to the rest of his actions, and I request that he may be
examined concerning them.
12. Furthermore he directed that the names of the persons present on the
above occasion, should be written upon a paper and burnt. The ashes he
rubbed over his hand, where it left marked the name of the delinquent,
which the prisoner had previously written there with a certain liquor,
in such a manner that it could not be seen.
13. In the audiences which have been held respecting him, he has been
exhorted to declare the truth and confess his crimes, which he has not
done, but endeavoured to hide the enormities so recently committed by
him, thus rendering himself unworthy of that mercy which your
Excellencies extend to those who confess with sincerity, and deserving a
punishment corresponding to his great offences.
Therefore, I request and entreat your Excellencies to accept the
confession of the said prisoner, so far as in my favor, and no farther,
and to regard as fully proved my accusation, or such part thereof as may
suffice to obtain a sentence, condemning the prisoner as perpetrator of
the above crimes to the heaviest punishments thereto assigned by the
sacred canons, pontifical bulls, common laws, and edicts of this realm,
for a punishment to him, and a terror and example to others.
Furthermore I request your Excellencies that without any diminution of
my proofs, the prisoner may, if necessary, be put to rigorous torture,
to be continued and repeated till he confess all his crimes and
accomplices.
The Licentiate,
DON FAUSTO ANTONIO DE ASTORQUIZA Y URRETA.
* * * * *
This accusation having been presented and read, the said Don Antonio
Adorno was formally sworn to answer thereto, and declare the truth; and
the same being again read, article by article, he answered as follows.
To the head of the accusation he replied that he was the same Don
Antonio Adorno mentioned therein, and that although he in reality
performed what has been laid to his charge, yet he never imagined it to
be contrary to our Holy Catholic Faith, nor supposed it to be
necromantic or superstitious; that he never had practised anything out
of disrespect for the mass, nor had uttered sacred language for a
superstitious purpose, nor imparted evil doctrine or instruments to
others for this end; therefore he ought not to be suspected in the
faith.
To the first article, he answered, that it was true, and that the
circumstances occurred in the city of Valencia, in the house of a person
whose name he could not recollect, but only that he resided in the Calle
del Mar, near a Convent of Nuns. He made the assertions to giv
Showing first 200,000 characters. Full text: gutenberg.org/ebooks/41733