meaning of the word "autos", unfortunately, is often interpreted in different ways.Under this process meant primarily ceremonial announcement of the sentence by the court of the Inquisition, and then to its enforcement.Autodafe also called exceptional performance prescribed.Moreover, confused the process and the so-called bonfire of vanity, which burned, for example, a mirror or holy books (the same as the Talmud).
Autodafe - what is it?This so-called sacred punishment of heretics - wizards, witches, apostates and the Inquisition all unwanted persons.It was driven by the execution by burning at the stake guilty.Often the charges were untrue, but only proves the ignorance of the people of that time.There is even an opinion that, thanks to the Holy Inquisition, which fought hard with witches in Europe almost no beautiful women.Since the appeal itself could already give rise to accusations of witchcraft.
History of
Autodafe (accent on the last syllable) literally means "act of faith" (lat. Actus fidei).There was this ceremony almost the same time as the Holy Inquisition and, in the XIII century.However, the distribution was received later - at the end of the XV century.
Spain start autos was asked bull Sixtus IV in 1480, in Portugal - the same decree of Clement VII in 1531.The first relates to the massive burning of 1481, it took place in the Spanish Sevilla.For several centuries the burning of heretics successfully practiced in Spain and Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Peru), Italy, Portugal and its colonies, India (Goa).In particular, the greatest devastation was in Spain - nearly 32 thousand burnt alive.
curious fact about autos that this phenomenon is not passed, and Russia.Thus, in the annals of Sofia in 1480 said the burning of advisers Ivan III, who dared enraging the king failed "magic."
Cancel solemn verdict
In Portugal, the Inquisition has not reached such a scale, as in Spain, and was canceled already in 1794.In Spain autos permanently banned only in 1834, although the latter process took place to be even in 1826, but it was a penalty by hanging, not burning.
As it happened
first Sunday of Lent before Christmas, which should be read in the Gospel of Luke about the Last Judgment, was given often for ceremonial announcement of the sentence.Although it should be noted that not all the Fathers of the Church were in agreement on this date, as many verdicts were directly connected with the death.
On the question of autos - what it is, we have already said, and now proceed to the process itself.On the square of the city established the platform to see what is happening could be the maximum number of visitors.A peculiar picture of the Last Judgment in a nutshell, designed not only as a pious awe inspire the faithful.Besides the coming autos are usually informed in advance, and accounted for the ceremony, usually a day off.Just the night before, and the process met a special commission, whose purpose was to listen to the renunciation of criminals, accompanied by their reconciliation with the Church.However, the admission of guilt not too softened fate.
Types autos
identify several species of "act of faith", in particular:
- Auto singular - one perpetrator.
- Autillo, or small autos, conducted within the Palace of the Inquisition.Attended by some invited and actually judges themselves.
- Auto particular - private process, which only allowed the presence of criminal judges and inquisitors.
- Auto public general - the general public autos, which officially was arranged a large gathering of people in the presence of the magistrates of the city and often times to any events.For example, the records of the Auto de fe in Madrid in 1680.Executed young wife of Charles II, and the king personally lit the first torch.
The condemned were taken to the people in special "shameful" clothes with different shoulder pads (depending on the crime), with bare feet and yellow wax candles in their hands.In addition, further accused of witchcraft wore a cap of paper in the form of sugar-loaf.
Now the reader know the answer to the question of autos - it.It is a ceremonial burning of heretics and objectionable church people.A curious fact: accused of witchcraft in those days could be anyone.It was enough to say that he saw the neighbor's wife the night flew on a broom out of the pipe.Then, for it undertook the holy fathers, who were forced by torture to confess to cohabitation with the devil and other "sinful deeds."
