The activity of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in the district of Castelo Branco

the Pessoa Tavares of the village of Fundão

Abstract

When the Tribunal of the Holy Office was created in the kingdoms of Spain in the context of the “Reconquista” wars, whose purpose was to unify the territory under the Catholic crown, the New Christians –Jews converted to Catholicism –were harshly persecuted. To preserve their lives and faith, they fled to the Portuguese kingdom. In this way, the border between the two Modern States was found with a great converted population. This article is about the persecution carried out by the Inquisition against the New Christians in one of the Portuguese regions close to theborder with Spain, the district of Castelo Branco and, more particularly, Vila de Fundão, during the 18th century. Our focus is on a family of merchants that was severely persecuted and suffered vexations even after the end of the distinction between Old Christians and New Christians, in the year 1773. Our intention is to discuss how the persecution against this group was intense in the region due to its geographical position, as well as to disputes among its residents –whose motives were more political and economic than religious.