Discursos sobre el orden de procesar en los tribunales de Inquisición

Pp. 11-116 contain the introduction by the editor. The text by Llorente (1756-1823), written in the late 18th century and never published, deals with the order of the proceedings in the tribunals of the Inquisition. Ch. 1 of Llorente's text (pp. 124-153) discusses the reasons for the establishment of the Inquisition in 1483. Agrees with the Spanish historian Jerónimo Zurita y Castro (1512-1580) that the appointment of the Inquisition by the Catholic Monarchs was intended to end the process of dissolution of Christian law and custom fomented by fictitious conversions, and facilitated by the contacts of New Christians with Jews and Moors. Summarizes the measures taken in Spain by Church Councils from 303 onwards, and the laws promulgated by the kings and the courts since Recaredo. They aimed to isolate the Jews socially and to reduce their economic and political influence. Asserts that this was not enough to protect Spain from the negative consequences of fictitious conversions.