Inquisition

[fealomeril]

I find it interesting that the Spanish Inquisition is held up as a sign of the horrors of the Middle Ages, when the Spanish Inquisition didn't start until 1480, what most people would consider the Renaissance...hmmm...maybe the Renaissance should be called the Dark Ages, eh?

Comments

[neutrino_cannon]

Similarly, the Salem Witch trials are often referred to in the context of witch burning, even though the trend of witch hysteria was well on the way out by that time (except in backwards places like the Americas, obviously). Do Americans only care about history if it's sensational or if it's related to them?

[painter_brit]

Do Americans only care about history if it's sensational or if it's related to them?

Generally speaking, yes.

[anonymous]

Most people would tend to view 1480 as the tag end of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance wasn't really in full swing until the 16th century, and even then it was more primarily centered in Italy. It didn't reach Spain for a while and even when it did, Spain's rigid Catholicism and strict government prevented the Renaissance from gaining the kind of hold it did every where else. So actually, it's not that strange that the Inquisition would be around at this point. It's kind of fitting really, seeing as how this was the time when there were so many dangerous, Church-threatening ideas flying around.
-Kaitlin