Defense Document Offered In Inquisition Case: December 30, 1511

In Lu Ann Homza's excellent book, The Spanish Inquisition 1478-1614, Inquisitors in the Holy Office of Inquisition called one Maria Gonzalez to confess. But this was no ordinary confession, but a confession for knowledge of other people. This followed a request (below) by the defense lawyer in her case to ask for such testimony on this day in 1511. He does this in such a way that shows this lawyer's deference or allegiance to the current tribunal court of the inquisition and not to his client. It is the process that stems from this act of due vigilance, in fact, "...not out of rigor, but equity...", as the defense lawyer puts it, that will lead to changing the sentence of Maria Gonzalez from 'perpetual prison' to, death by hanging, as she was since then found guilty of lying, a capital crime for a heretic.

"Very Reverend Lords,

I, Alonso de Vaena, appear before your Reverend Fathers as the defense lawyer for María González, wife of Pedro de Villareal, merchant, resident of Ciudad Real. I say that my party has confessed all the offenses she remembers having committed against our Holy Catholic Faith, and asks for penance for them. The chief prosecutor insists that my party, María González, is being silent and hiding other people who committed the crimes with her. This assertion is not believable. But because the naming of others is usually included in these matters and is natural, and is even more natural in women, I ask your Reverend Fathers to order her to name such people as the law allows, secretly or publicly, not out of rigor, but equity. On account of which I beg for testimony, [and ask] that justice be done and consciences charged."

With lawyers like these, it's no wonder people left, if they could.
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page 50, The Spanish Inquisition 1478-1614: An Anthology of Sources, edited and translated by Lu Ann Homza, Indianapolis, Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 2006