What are the main weapons of the Spanish Inquisition?

Answer 1

Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition! Their chief weapon was surprise! Surprise and fear. Their two chief weapons were surprise, fear... and ruthless effieciency.. their THREE weapons were surprise, fear and ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope... FOUR... no, wait. AMONGST the weaponry... are such elements as fear, surprise...

I'll come in again...

Answer 2

One of the strongest weapons of the Inquistion was the power it had of confiscating the property of those convicted of heresy. At the beginning, the proceeds were devoted to the use of the crown, but they gradually devolved more and more upon the Inquisition itself.... It was through this power that the Inquisition was raised into a corporation of such vast influence and wealth. Above all, it made it overwhelmingly to its interest to procure the conviction of all who were brought before it, especially when they were persons of great means. Nothing else, perhaps, was more instrumental in draining the Peninsula of its accumulated wealth during the course of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. It was a weapon which struck at the whole of a man's family, and might reduce it in a moment from affluence to beggary, while through its means the economic life of the whole country was liable to be disorganized.
Encyclopaedia Judaica, ed. cecil Roth, Oxford/Jerusalem 1971

Answer 3

The Spanish Inquisition was confined to Spain. Non-Catholics were given an ultimatum by the Spanish Crown, "Convert to Catholicism or leave Spain."

*This was a quasi-ecclesiastical tribunal established in 1478 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella primarily to examine converted Jews, and later converted Muslims, and punish those who were insincere in the conversion.... The Spanish Inquisition was much harsher than the medieval Inquisition and the death penalty was more often exacted, sometimes in mass autos-da-fe. It judged cases of bigamy, seduction, usury, and other crimes, and was active in Spain and her colonies. Estimates of its victims vary widely, ranging from less than 4,000 to more than 30,000 during its existence....
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Secret Jews (& others) pretended to convert in order to retain their properties and remain in Spain but secretly practiced their own faith. These were 'weeded' out by use of nefarious means (informants, "witch-hunts," etc.), tortured to provide confessions and even executed. It was ugly but cannot be denied, as it is historical fact.

Two things to remember: 1. The Inquisition was in Spain and not 'world-wide' as some believe; 2. It was the Catholic Church herself who brought an end to the abuses of the Spanish Inquisition that were being done in 'the name of the Holy Catholic Church.'

I'm not sure what you mean by 'weapons,' but I have heard that 'low' Spanish Royalty, Hidalgos, were instrumental in the ferreting out of violators. The following article might answer your question:

**One of the strongest weapons of the Inquistion was the power it had of confiscating the property of those convicted of heresy. At the beginning, the proceeds were devoted to the use of the crown, but they gradually devolved more and more upon the Inquisition itself.... It was through this power that the Inquisition was raised into a corporation of such vast influence and wealth. Above all, it made it overwhelmingly to its interest to procure the conviction of all who were brought before it, especially when they were persons of great means. Nothing else, perhaps, was more instrumental in draining the Peninsula of its accumulated wealth during the course of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. It was a weapon which struck at the whole of a man's family, and might reduce it in a moment from affluence to beggary, while through its means the economic life of the whole country was liable to be disorganized.
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Answer 4

Censure, interrogation, torture, and execution. They had the tacit approval of the Holy See, but were later suppressed for excessive means. For the gory details of the torture, check out the History of Torture, or any history of the Inquisition. Note that there were other inquisitions, but the Spaniards were stand-outs in the field. B.

Answer 5

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms - Oh damn!

Answer 6

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms - Oh damn! :) funny!

Answer 7

The biased cooperation of the Popes, were the
main weapon of the Spanish Inquisition.
And the gullibility of the populace was it second
best and most used weapon.

Answer 8

It was the red suits and neat hats like on Monty Python

Answer 9

Hatred, lust for power, lust for pain, the Pope...I could go on and on. But I know you want to know about chairs with spikes, carpets of spikes, coal-fired seats, the iron maiden, the garrotte, branks, the heretic's fork, and long needles for inserting into eyes, muscles and organs.

Answer 10

Do some research, much may have been overblown.

It is a good topic, and was a dark time for the Catholic Faith.

Peace!