Spanish Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition was the Inquisition acting in Spain under the control of the Kings of Spain. This Inquisition was the result of the reconquest of Spain from the Muslims and the policy of converting Spanish Jews and Muslims to Christianity. The Inquisition was an important tool in enforcing the limpieza de sangre ("cleanliness of blood") against descendants of converted Jews or Muslims.

The Spanish Inquisition in the arts

The Spanish Inquisition has also been a topic in art, literature, movies, and comedy:

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• Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum.
• Voltaire's Candide
• Goya's paintings
• "The Spanish Inquisition" sketch by Monty Python ("Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!").
• A musical segment within Mel Brooks' movie History of the World, Part I.