This book challenges the reputation of the Spanish Inquisition as an instrument of religious persecution, torture and repressionand looks at its wider role as an educative force in society.

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• A reassessment of the history of the Spanish Inquisition.
  
• Challenges the reputation of the Inquisition as an instrument of religious persecution, torture and repression.
  
• Looks at the wider role of the Inquisition as an educative force in society.
  
• Draws on the findings of recent research by American, British and European scholars.
  
• Includes original documentary evidence in translation.