As I say, I'm not a history major, nor do I read much history, so I go to Wikipedia for my information because it's easy. A quick search just now told me the Spanish Inquisition was based on royal decrees of 1492 and 1501 and was aimed at Muslims and Jews. They were ordered to convert or leave the country.
"The Spanish Inquisition is often cited in literature and history as an example of Catholic intolerance and repression. Modern historians have tended to question earlier and possibly exaggerated accounts concerning the severity of the Inquisition. Although records are incomplete, estimates of the number of persons charged with crimes by the Inquisition range up to 150,000, with 2,000 to 5,000 people executed."
Last edited: Aug 13, 2015