The Inquisition

'Until now, we have lacked a comprehensive, reliable, comparative study of the broad range of inquisitorial systems; we have even lacked an agreed-on methodology for writing such a study. Francisco Bethencourt has solved both problems in a remarkably successful single volume.' Edward Peters, University of Pennsylvania

'... a genuine landmark in early European history. ... Organizing his book around four areas (ritual and etiquette; forms of organisation; modes of action; and systems of representation), Bethencourt ventures into such virtually-unknown subjects, as inquisitorial emblems or forms of protocol with the flair of an anthropologist.' William Monter, Northwestern University, Illinois

'Bethencourt's book is one of the best global works on the Inquisition published in the past twenty five years.' Jaime Contreras, University of Alcal de Henares

'Bethencourt's scope is undeniably broad: he has worked in archives in Spain, Portugal and Italy, and has an enviable command of the vast secondary literature in several languages ... there is also much that is valuable and persuasive in [his] analysis of the institutional culture of the Inquisition(s).' Peter Marshall, The Times Literary Supplement

Francisco Bethencourt is Charles Boxer Professor of History at King's College London. His previous publications include (as co-editor) Portuguese Oceanic Expansion, 1400-1800 (2007) and Cultural Exchange in Early Modern Europe, Volume 3: Correspondence and Cultural Exchange in Europe, 1400-1700 (2007).

Introduction; 1. Foundation; 2. Organisation; 3. Presentation; 4. Appointments; 5. The edicts; 6. The visits; 7. The auto-da-f; 8. Status; 9. Representations; 10. Abolition; Conclusion.