Records of The Spanish Inquisition Part 13

Leonardo Phelipe, needlemaker, an inhabitant of this city, and now in the secret prison of this Holy Office, on account of an action brought against him by the Licentiate Don Andres Panyagua, Fiscal of this Inquisition, has presented in his defence the following articles or interrogatives, namely--

1. That the said Leonardo Phelipe, although a Frenchman, yet is a good Christian, and not in anything to be suspected of Lutheranism or any other heresy; that as such, he hears ma.s.s every Sunday and holiday prescribed, as can be proved by many witnesses.

2. That he also confesses and takes the sacrament every year, at Easter and other times, as can be shown by his certificate of confession received during last Lent, and which he exhibits in his defence.

3. That the wife of the said Leonardo Phelipe treats him badly, and bears him great hatred, and has brought him into this trouble because he gave her a good beating on the festival of the Resurrection last, which greatly increased her hatred towards him.

4. That the same enmity is borne towards him by Joseph Leonardo, his son, with whom he had an altercation on account of his having p.a.w.ned an anvil against the inclination of his son, for which reason he concerted with his mother this proceeding against the prisoner.

5. That the said Leonardo Phelipe is reputed throughout all the city of Tarragona to be an honest man, and a good Christian, attending church punctually to hear ma.s.s on the days appointed, and confessing and taking the sacrament at the proper times.

On which account you will, on the reception of this, proceed to collect information respecting the matter contained in the above interrogatives, in favor of the said Leonardo Phelipe, examining the witnesses named in the margin opposite each article, which is to be done in the presence of the Notary, with the other legal formalities, and according to the printed formula held by the commissaries. You will also take a copy of the register in the church records referred to in the second article.

All which being done, you will forward the proceedings, sealed, with all brevity to our hands.

For the above undertaking we grant you full power and commission in form. G.o.d preserve you.

DR DOMINGO ABBAD Y HUERTA.

The Inquisitor presiding alone.

MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.

Barcelona, June 25th, 1637.

In the city of Tarragona, on the eighteenth day of July, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, before the ill.u.s.trious Juan Ferrer, Presbyter Canon of the Holy Church of Tarragona, Commissary of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, and by particular commission from the most ill.u.s.trious Inquisitors Apostolical of the Princ.i.p.ality of Catalonia, appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth, a person calling himself Father Pablo Morer, Guardian of the Monastery and Convent of St Francisco in Tarragona, of age, as he stated, fortysix years or thereabout.

Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.

Answered, No.

Questioned, if any one had attempted to persuade him to speak in favor of any person imprisoned by the Holy Office.

Answered, No.

Questioned, if he knew the Fiscal of the Holy Office, or Leonardo Felipe of the city of Tarragona imprisoned by the Holy Office of the Inquisition.

Answered, that he knew neither of them.

He was then informed that the said Felipe presented him as a witness in his defence, in a case brought against him by the Fiscal of the Holy Office. He was directed to give attention while certain questions were put to him, and declare the whole truth.

To the second question he answered that he knew nothing of the matter, respecting which he was questioned, as he was not acquainted with the person. To the last question, he answered that what he had stated was the truth, and it being read, was declared by him to be correctly recorded. He promised secrecy and signed his name.

_Pablo Morer._

Before me--

MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not'y of Tarragona_.

In the city of Tarragona, on the day, month, and year above specified, before the ill.u.s.trious Juan Ferrer, Presbyter, Commissary, &c. appeared according to summons and swore to declare the truth, a person calling himself Father Nicholas Gil, of the convent of St Francisco in this city, of age, as he stated, fortyfour years or thereabout.

Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to appear.

Answered, No.

Questioned, if any one had attempted to persuade him to speak in favor of any person imprisoned by the Holy Office.

Answered, No.

Questioned, if he knew the Fiscal of the Holy Office, or Leonardo Felipe, needlemaker, of this city, now in imprisonment by the Holy Office.

Answered, that he had no knowledge of the Fiscal, but knew the said Leonardo Felipe, and had held dealings with him.

He was then informed that the abovementioned Leonardo Felipe presented him as a witness in a case brought against him by the said Fiscal. He was directed to give attention while certain questions were put to him, and declare the whole truth.

To the second question, he answered that he remembered to have heard the confession of the said Leonardo Felipe once only during last Lent, but could not remember whether he gave him a certificate or not.

The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and having been read, was declared by him to be correctly recorded. He promised secrecy and signed his name

PR. NICOLA GIL.

Before me--

MIGUEL GIBERT, _Not'y Public of Tarragona_.

[_Here follow the depositions in the same form with the preceding, of various other witnesses in favor of the prisoner, relating to matters alleged by him in his defence._]

AUDIENCE FOR CONCLUDING THE TRIAL.

In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the twentyseventh day of June, one thousand six hundred and thirtyseven, the Inquisitors, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta and the Licentiate Don Blas Alexandra de Lezaeta presiding in their afternoon audience, ordered the abovementioned Leonardo Phelipe to be brought out of prison, which being done, he was

Questioned, if he remembered anything which he was bound by his oath to declare.

Answered, that he had nothing more to say.

Dr Francisco Magrinya, the prisoner's advocate, being present, he was informed that the investigations requested by him, had been made, and if he wished the cause to be decided, it should be done, or if he wished other measures to be taken, to state them, and all should be done which justice permitted. Whereupon the said Leonardo Phelipe, by the advice of his counsel, answered that he concluded definitively, and begged a merciful sentence.

The Inquisitors then ordered the same to be notified to the Promoter Fiscal of this Holy Office, in order that a conclusion might be made on the third day. Whereupon the prisoner was remanded to prison.

Before me--

MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ.

The above order for conclusion was forthwith notified to the Licentiate Don Andres Paniagua, Fiscal, by me, the Secretary,