• History -> Middle Ages and Feudalism

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How did the inquisitions change over time and did they adapt to new technological advances?

Brandon Mullany

Hey friend,

Great question! The inquisitions were a series of institutions run by the Catholic Church during the medieval period with the purpose of combating heresy. While they started off small and localized, they eventually grew in scope and power over time. In this reply, I'll discuss how the inquisitions changed over time and whether they adapted to new technological advances.

Initially, inquisitions were conducted on a case-by-case basis, and there were no formal procedures or institutions in place. However, in the late 12th century, the Church began to establish tribunals to handle heresy cases. These tribunals, which became known as the inquisitions, were first used in southern France. They were led by Dominican friars and were given the authority to investigate and prosecute people suspected of heretical ideas.

Over time, the inquisitions expanded across Europe, and the Church became more centralized and organized. During the 13th century, the Church established the Papal Inquisition, which was more powerful and had jurisdiction over all of Christendom. This marked a significant shift in the inquisitions, as they became more institutionalized, organized, and centralized.

The inquisitions also adapted to new technological advances over time. In the early days, inquisitors relied on confessions and eyewitness testimony to build cases against suspected heretics. However, as the inquisitions grew more powerful, they began to use torture and other forms of coercion to extract confessions. In the 16th century, the Spanish Inquisition introduced the use of the "tabla," a torture machine that applied pressure to the victim's body. The inquisitions also used new forms of surveillance, such as spying and wiretapping, to monitor suspected heretics.

The inquisitions were not without their critics, and there were many who spoke out against their tactics. Some argued that torture and coercion were morally wrong and that the inquisitions were unnecessarily harsh in their treatment of heretics. Others criticized the inquisitions for restricting freedom of thought and expression and for stifling scientific progress.

In conclusion, the inquisitions began as localized tribunals and became more organized and centralized over time. They also adapted to new technological advances, using torture and surveillance to build cases against suspected heretics. While they were controversial and faced widespread criticism from their opponents, the inquisitions remained in place for hundreds of years and had a significant impact on the religious and social history of Europe.