Water Torture Inflicted On A Conversa: April 29, May 5, 1494

This post describes in part, some of how water torture was inflicted on people that officials of the Spanish Inquisition believed might have information that could further cases. Torture is disturbing and illegal. Today, evidence gleaned from it cannot, by law, be used in court. Despite this, some still want to pursue this means as a tactic in war. Again, it is disturbing and to me, something very much an evil practice and I don't linger on it. But describing the process gives a window into it's methods and thus a bigger picture of the Spanish Inquisition in those times. If you don't want to know about it, don't read it.

On April 18, 1494, six consultadores voted on the fate of Marina González. Four of them voted to declare her a relapsed heretic and have her undergo the water torture since she might give up the names of others. Two of them voted for water torture and that if she did not confess, her innocence should be proven with compurgation. Our editor tells us in a footnote that this was a process where a set number of witnesses, chosen by the defendant would be allowed to swear that she instead, was a good Christian, innocent of heresy.

Eleven days later, she was given the water torture. This consisted of being strapped down, with a cord around her neck to force her head back, and water was then poured over the mouth and nose. In small doses at first.  At first, though they asked her to confess. Then they told her that

"... if during the torture some evil, damage, wound, or death occurred to her, it would be her fault and not theirs. They asked again for testimony...." [p. 45]

This continued with greater amounts of water and the accused continued not to speak. Finally she said she would speak and was let up and then she refused again. After a great bit of this, at last, she was let up, removed from the torture, and she did speak. She said her neighbor fasted and named her. They asked which fasts, Jewish or Christian and why she believed this. She replied they were Jewish fasts and as her neighbor she could notice that she had observed these fasts on Saturdays. When she was asked if the neighbor spoke to her, she said she had not and that it had happened "... perhaps a year ago, more or less...." [p. 46]

Dated May 5, 1494-

"After the above, when the lord inquisitors were in their customary hearing, they pronounced sentence in the presence of Marina González:

Having seen and diligently examined this case pending before us, between the chief prosecutor , who is the accuser, and Marina González, a reconciled conversa, we must declare that the chief prosecutor has not completely proven his intention. But inasmuch as the chief's prosecutor proof results in a vehement suspicion against Marina González, we must invoke canonical compurgation. We order that her case be proven canonically with eight witnesses who are trustworthy and zealous in the faith.  Which we order within the next nine days. And thus we pronounce our sentence, etc. Winesses: Pedro Gonzáalez the Flat-Nosed and Juan de Castro, notary." [p. 46]

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quotes entirely from The Spanish Inquisition 1478-1614: An Anthology of Sources, edited and translated by Lu Ann Homza, Indianapolis, Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 2006