Records of the Spanish Inquisition, Translated from the Original Manuscripts

TRIAL OF JUAN DURAN, FOR BLASPHEMY AND WITCHCRAFT

I, the Fiscal of this Holy Office, state that from information received, it is made manifest that Juan Duran, blacksmith, a native of Manresa, and a resident of Villaredonda, in the bishopric of Barcelona, has committed offences against our holy faith; on which account, I purpose to bring a formal accusation against him. For which reasons I request your Excellency to order the said person to be arrested and confined in the secret prison of this Inquisition, for the purpose of accomplishing fully the ends of justice.

Dr Francisco Gregorio.

In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of December, one thousand, six hundred and thirtytwo, the Inquisitors, Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner and Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, being at their evening audience,—having examined the testification against Juan Duran, blacksmith, a resident of Villaredonda in the bishopric of Barcelona; ordered that the above person be arrested and confined in the secret prison of this Inquisition, and that his trial be instituted in form.

Before me—

Miguel Rodriguez.

TO FRANCISCO COLL, COMMISSARY.

On the receipt of this, you will proceed to take prisoner, on the part of this Holy Office, Juan Duran, blacksmith, a resident of this town, for some days past, and formerly of Villaredonda. He is a tall, thin faced, person; pale, with a chestnut beard, and meanly dressed; having secured him, you will dispatch him, under good attendance, to this Holy Office, by the hands of the Familiars, in such a manner that he cannot escape, taking measures in all the places through which he may pass, to let it be known he is apprehended by this Inquisition.

Also, if occasion should offer, you will sieze so much of the prisoner’s property, if it be found in that town, as shall amount to eight ducats, for the expense of his maintenance, which you will transmit by those who have him in custody.

This letter is to be returned, with a statement of all that may be done agreeably to the above orders, with respect to which we trust in the guidance of our Lord.

Barcelona, December 14th. 1632.

The prisoner being taken, you will inspect his person and his lodgings, in order to secure a book, about the size of the hand, in which, it is confidently believed, there are certain prayers and superstitious matters. This book you will despatch to us.

Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner,

Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta.

By order of this Holy Office—

Miguel Rodriguez, Sec’y.

TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS INQUISITORS OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF CATALONIA

I received the orders of your Excellencies and put them in execution. I learned that Juan Duran had left this town of Villaredonda a month since, and that he labored at times in repairing the bridge of Armentera, in the archbishopric of Tarragona, whither I sent after him and had him siezed by a Familiar of that place. I have examined him, and found his book and papers which, you will receive along with this. No more cash was found upon him than three reales, which I also transmit by the Familiar who has him in custody. This is all which could be obtained of his property. The prisoner I despatch to your Excellencies according to order, and remain at the service of your Excellencies, to whom may our Lord grant many happy years.

Villaredonda, Dec. 24th, 1632.

Francisco Coll, Rector of Villaredonda,

and Commissary of the Holy Office.

In the town of Valles Campo, in the archbishopric of Tarragona, on Saturday, the twentyseventh day of November, one thousand six hundred and thirty two, at evening, appeared, without summons, before Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Presbyter Commissary of the Holy Office, and swore to declare the truth, a person calling himself Pedro Oriola, apothecary, resident of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, fortyfour years, or thereabout; which person, in discharge of his conscience, declared and denounced the following.

That about fifteen days since, there visited at his house, Juan Bafforell, and one Marcal, a gardener, inhabitants of the said town; and that among other things they told him they had heard a certain person (whose name and birth place the deponent is ignorant of, but knows him by sight, and that he is a blacksmith, working with Pablo Llaurador of this town, and came hither in company with a Frenchman, who officiated as a physician, and a short time since had been imprisoned by the Holy Office), say, that he possessed a book, which, if it were thrown into a fire, along with a crucifix, would remain unhurt, while the crucifix would be consumed.

The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, and being read in his hearing, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. Deponent further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice to any one, but solely to discharge his conscience, and declares that he will keep the whole secret.

Signed,

Pero Orrola.

Before me—

Geronymo Joan Rossellon,

Presbyter Notary of the Holy Office.

In the town of Valles, on Sunday, the twentyeighth day of the said month and year, in the evening, before the said Commissary, appeared, according to summons, and made oath to declare the truth, Juan Bafforell, a native and inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, fortyeight years or thereabout.

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

Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.

Questioned, if he knew, or had heard that any person had said or done anything, which was, or appeared to be contrary to the Holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical Law preached and taught by the Holy Mother Catholic Roman Church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office.

Answered, that he knew nothing of the matter, but the following. About fifteen days since, he was at the house of Mosen Pedro Oriola, apothecary, in company with the said Oriola, Bernardo Serda, innkeeper, and Salvador Marcal, gardener, and in the course of the conversation the said Marcal observed that a certain man, whom the deponent knew by sight, but not his name, or where he belongs, a blacksmith, working with Pablo Llaurador, of this town, had said, in his presence, in the tavern of the abovementioned Bernardo Serda, that he possessed a book or books of such quality and power, that if the said book or books were thrown into a fire along with an image of Christ crucified, the Christ would be burnt, and not the book. Further the deponent knoweth not.

The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent; and being read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. Deponent further states that he has not made this declaration out of malice, but solely to unburthen his conscience; and, moreover, promises secrecy; being unable to write, I, the said Commissary sign in his name.

Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary.

Before me—

Geronymo Joan Rossellon,

Presbyter Notary of the Holy Office.

In the town of Valles, on Tuesday the thirtieth of the same month and year, before the said Commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth, a person calling himself Bernardo Serda, innkeeper, a native and inhabitant of the said town of Valles, of age, as he stated, twentyfour years or thereabout.

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

Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of ascertaining the substance of what he had stated on several occasions; in relation to which, the facts were, that about fifteen or thirty days since on returning to his house, he was informed by his wife and another woman belonging to Vique, who lodged at his house, and who went about the country curing diseases, that they had heard a certain stranger, (a blacksmith, working with Pablo Llaurador, but whose name or birthplace they did not know although they knew him by sight), declare, that he was a doctor who cured all disorders, that he was the God of the land, and that he had a book, which, being put into the fire along with a crucifix, would remain unhurt, while the crucifix would be consumed. The above was heard by the women, but not by the deponent. The said person also stated that he was circumcised as Jesus Christ was, which being heard of by the deponent he was greatly shocked, and declared that had it been uttered in his hearing, he would have cudgelled him out of doors.

The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and being read to him he declares it to be correctly recorded. He further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and promises to observe secrecy. Not being able to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in his name.

Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary.

Before me—

Geronymo Joan Rossellon, Presbyter Not’y.

In the town of Valles, on Thursday, the second day of December, one thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, in the afternoon, before the said Commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth, a person calling himself Pablo Llaurador, blacksmith, an inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, fiftyfive years or thereabout.

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

Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of investigating the following matter. There was a person living with him who assisted him in his trade. This person called himself Juan Duran, and said he was a native of Manresa. The said person declared a few days before the feast of All Saints, in the presence of the deponent, Pablo Vicens, and others whose names were forgotten, that he had a book containing a prayer of such efficacy, that, if it were put into a fire along with a crucifix, this last would be consumed before the book, which words being uttered with much earnestness by him, deponent and the others reprehended him, and advised him to abstain from such speeches, as they were scandalous, and should they come to the knowledge of the Inquisition, would bring some punishment upon him. The above person repeated his assertions several times, but at length desisted and appeared somewhat alarmed at the rebukes they gave him, turning pale. At other times this person had declared to the deponent that he was very skilful in curing disorders, and that the Holy Virgin del Rosario, had twice appeared to him, giving him power to cure all diseases, and bestowed upon him her benediction, all which deponent laughed at, and ascribed to the speaker’s want of understanding; but on hearing the assertion respecting the book, he became offended, and dismissed him from his house. Whither he went on his departure deponent did not know, only that he stated his intention soon to return. The book abovementioned he had shown to the deponent many times. It was a small thing, about the size of the hand, but thick, and was read by the possessor in great secrecy, as if he were at prayer. These, and other things, it was said, were known to Jayme Carbonell, a young man, son to the widow Carbonell, who keeps an inn. The person in question was a tall, thin, pale faced man, with a chestnut beard, and meanly dressed.

The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent; and being read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. He further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and promises to observe secrecy. Not being able to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in his name.

Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary.

Before me—

Geronymo Juan Rossellon, Presbyter Not’y.

In the town of Valles, on the same day, month, and year, before the said commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth, a person calling herself Esperanza Serdana, wife of Bernardo Serdana, innkeeper, an inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as she stated, thirty years or thereabout.

Questioned, if she knew or conjectured the cause of her being summoned to appear.

Answered, that she neither knew or conjectured.

Questioned, if she knew or had heard that any person had said or done any thing which was, or appeared to be, contrary to the Holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical Doctrine taught and preached by the Holy Mother Roman Catholic Church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office.

Answered, that all she knew relating to such matter was the following. About six weeks since, while she was waiting upon the guests in her tavern, and had just gone out of the kitchen into the room where the guests were, she observed them crossing themselves and expressing great wonder, crying ‘Jesu!’ ‘Jesu!’ Upon which she demanded what was the matter, and they told her, (she could not tell which of them, as there were so many present) that a man, then in the room, whose name she did not know, but only that he was a blacksmith and one she had never seen before, had said he had a book, which, thrown into a flaming fire along with a crucifix, would be preserved rather than this last, which expressions being heard by the deponent, she did not fail to express her astonishment, by crying ‘Jesu!’ and then went out of the room. The persons present also told her that the above person had said he was circumcised and had shed his blood as well as Jesus Christ our Lord.

The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, and being read in her presence, is declared by her to be correctly recorded. She further states that she does not make this declaration out of malice, and promises secrecy. Being unable to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in her name.

Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary.

Before me—

Geronymo Juan Rossellon, Presbyter Not’y.

In the town of Valles, on Saturday, the fourth day of December, one thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, in the afternoon, before the said Commissary, appeared according to summons, and swore to declare the truth, a person calling himself Pablo Vicens, peasant, a native and inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated, thirty years or thereabout.

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

Answered, that he supposed it to be for the purpose of making inquiry about the following matter. About fifteen days before the feast of All Saints, he was informed by Bernardo Serda, innkeeper, an inhabitant of this town, that a man working with Pablo Llaurador, blacksmith of this town, had said before his wife and the guests in the inn, that he had in a certain book, a prayer of such efficacy that, were the book thrown into a blazing fire, along with a crucifix, the book would be preserved and the crucifix burnt; at which the deponent was much shocked, and went home. About six or eight days after this, the deponent went to the house of Pablo Llaurador, and found there the man abovementioned, whom he believes they called Juan Duran. Deponent spoke to this person, asking him what he meant by making such a speech as the above, and advised him to take care what he said, lest he got punished for it. The said Juan Duran answered, that he had made the above assertion, and would repeat it, which he did. The deponent told him he had been informed by Bernardo Serda of his speech about the book, and other assertions of his; namely, that the Holy Virgin del Rosario had appeared twice to him, and declared that he possessed the power to cure all diseases, giving him her benediction; for all which the deponent reprehended him in such a manner, that they had nearly come to blows, he having seized a blacksmith’s sledge for the purpose of throwing at the deponent, but desisted, as every one present exclaimed against him. Deponent was presently called away, and left the house, and a day or two after, on inquiring for the said person, of Pablo Llaurador, was informed that he had left him the same day. Deponent thinks he has since seen him at Villaredonda, where he believes he may be found at present.

The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent; and being read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. He further states that he has not made this declaration out of malice, and promises secrecy. Not being able to write, I, the said Commissary sign in his name.

Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary.

Before me—

Geronymo Rossellon, Presbyter Not’y.

In the town of Valles, on Sunday, the fifth of December, one thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, before the said Commissary appeared and swore to declare the truth, a person calling himself Jayme Carbonell, native and inhabitant of the town of Valles, of age, as he stated, sixteen years or thereabout.

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

Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.

Questioned, if he knew or had heard that any person had said or done anything which was, or appeared to be contrary to the Holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical Doctrine taught and professed by our Holy Mother Roman church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office.

Answered, that all he knew respecting this matter, was the following. About six weeks since, he met at his home, a man whom they called Juan, (his other name he did not know) and being in conversation with him, alone, by the fireside, the said person told him he had a book worth fifty ducats; that he knew how to cure all diseases simply by looking at the book, and that by the help of it he could even restore a dead person to life; that if people knew his great powers he should get to be very rich, and that he had been circumcised with wounds and blood like Jesus Christ; at all which the deponent laughed, and said to himself, ‘No doubt this man is crazy.’ The person referred to, worked at a blacksmith’s trade with Pablo Llaurador, and slept at the tavern of the deponent’s mother, while he was in town.

The deponent was then informed that besides what had already been related, this tribunal had received intimation that the said Juan had stated he had a book, which, being cast into a fire along with a crucifix, would remain unhurt, while the crucifix would be consumed; and that the Holy Virgin del Rosario had twice appeared to him, giving him her benediction and granting him the power to cure all diseases. He was admonished to bethink himself, and declare the whole truth.

Answered, that he never heard him utter such a thing, and knew of nothing more which the above person had said.

This is the truth according to the oath of the deponent, and being read in his presence, is declared by him to be correctly recorded. He further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and promises secrecy.

Signed— Jaume Carbonell Fadri.

Before me—

Geronymo Juan Rossellon, Presbyter Not’y.

RATIFICATION OF THE PRECEDING TESTIMONY

In the town of Valles Campo, archbishopric of Tarragona, on Friday, the twentyfirst day of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, in the afternoon, before Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Presbyter Commissary of the Holy Office, in the said town of Valles, appeared Pedro Oriola, apothecary, an inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated, forty years or thereabout, and swore to declare the truth, in presence of the honest and religious persons, the Reverend Jaume Busquers and Pablo Fonolleda, Presbyter Benificiaries in the parochial church of the said town; which persons swore to observe secrecy.

Questioned, if he remembered having gone before any justice, and given his deposition against any person concerning religious matters.

Answered, that he remembered having deposed before the said Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary of the Holy Office, against a certain stranger, accompanied by a French doctor who had been imprisoned by the Holy Office. The substance of this deposition he repeated, and requested it to be read.

He was then informed that the Promotor Fiscal of the Holy Office presented him as a witness in an action which he had commenced against the above person, whose name it was ascertained was Juan Duran. He was ordered to give attention while his deposition was read, and if he found anything to alter or add, to do it in such a manner as to declare the whole truth, for his present declaration might be of service to the said Juan Duran. The deposition was then read de verbo ad verbum, which the said Pedro Oriola having heard and understood, he declared it to be his testimony, and that it was correctly recorded; that he had nothing to add or amend, but was willing to repeat the whole anew. He was again, under oath, enjoined secrecy, which he promised. The whole I sign for him.

Pedro Oriola, Apothecary.

Before me—

Geronymo Juan Rossellon, Presbyter Notary

of the Holy Office.

[Here follows, in the original, the ratification in the same manner of all the other testimony.]

In the town of Valles, on the day, month, and year above specified, before the said Commissary, appeared, according to summons, and swore formally to declare the truth, a person calling himself Juan Llaurador, blacksmith, an inhabitant of the said town, of age, as he stated, twentyone years, or thereabout.

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

Answered, that he neither knew nor conjectured.

Questioned, if he knew or had heard that any person had said aught which was, or appeared to be contrary to our holy Catholic Faith, and Evangelical Doctrine professed and taught by the holy Mother Roman Catholic Church, or against the proper and free jurisdiction of the Holy Office.

Answered, that on a certain day, shortly before the feast of All Saints, Pablo Vicens came to his house, where his father, Pablo Llaurador, himself, and an apprentice were at work, with another person, whose name deponent did not know, but noticed that he spoke hardly a word. These persons being together, the said Pablo Vicens observed that he was astonished and grieved that there existed a man who could say he had a book, which, being thrown into a fire with an image of Christ, the book would be saved, and the Christ burnt. Upon which he was answered by the person abovementioned, who called himself Juan Duran, and was a native of the city of Manresa, that he was the man whom he meant, but that his assertion was only that the Christ would be consumed before the prayer contained in the book, if the Christ were not consecrated. At this they all reprimanded him, and declared that a simple representation of Christ crucified was more powerful than his book or prayer. The said Juan Duran, being thus contradicted and reproved by every one, was silent, and left the place. The deponent also heard the said Juan Duran say, in conversation, that he knew more than the doctors; that the Virgin, Our Lady del Rosario had appeared to him and given him her benediction, and that by her assistance he could cure better than the doctors, and do anything better than other persons. The deponent also heard Jayme Carbonell say, that Juan Duran had declared, in his presence, that he was next to God. He has also heard Juan Duran read or recite out of a little book, as large as the hand, at which all the family laughed. The said book the deponent has seen.

The above is the truth, according to the oath of the deponent, and being read in his presence, is declared by him to be faithfully recorded. He further states that he does not make this declaration out of malice, and promises secrecy. Being unable to write, I, the said Commissary, sign in his name.

Dr Pablo Pasqual Marquez, Commissary.

Before me—

Geronymo Juan Rossellon, Presbyter Not’y

of the Holy Office.

CALIFICACION.¹⁵

A certain person, native of this principality, has stated, in conversation, two or three times, that he possessed a book containing a prayer of such efficacy, that if the book were thrown into a fire along with a crucifix, this last would be consumed before the book; which assertion being repeated by him with great earnestness, he was reproved for it, and told among other things, that if the Inquisition knew it, he would be punished, which silenced him after some time. The abovementioned book he exhibited several times.

2d. The same person declared on another occasion, that he was very skilful in curing disorders; that the Holy Virgin del Rosario had appeared to him and empowered him to heal diseases, and given him her benediction.

3d. The same person on another occasion declared that he had a book which he would not sell for fifty ducats, as by merely looking at it he could cure any disease, and even restore a dead person to life; that if people knew his great powers, he should grow very rich; and that he was circumcised with wounds and blood like Jesus Christ.

In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of December, one thousand six hundred and thirtytwo, being present at the afternoon audience, the Inquisitors, Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner, Dr Domingo Abbad y Huerta, Father Vincente Navarro, Father Martin Perez and Geronymo Vidal, Jesuits and Calificadores of this Holy Office,—and having examined the above propositions, declared, unanimously, that the

1st, is a superstitious compact with the devil, and the comparison of the book to the figure of Christ a blasphemy; the

2d, vain and superstitious; and the

3d, is a superstitious imposture; and the assertion of being circumcised, one which creates suspicions of enmity to our Holy Faith.

Vicente Navarro, Jesuit.

Martin Perez, Jesuit and Lecturer

in Theology.

Geronymo Vidal, Jesuit.

Before me—

Miguel Rodriguez.

FIRST AUDIENCE

In the Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, on the tenth day of January, one thousand six hundred and thirtythree, the Inquisitor, Dr Bernardo Luis Cotoner, being at his morning audience, ordered to be brought from the secret prison, a certain person, who, on his appearance, was formally sworn to declare the truth in this audience and all others, till the conclusion of his trial, and to keep secret whatever he might see or hear, and everything which should befall him, concerning his trial.

Questioned, what was his name, birthplace, age, occupation, and the date of his imprisonment.

Answered, that his name was Juan Duran, a native of the city of Manresa, in the bishopric of Vique, of age, thirtyone years, or thereabout, by trade a blacksmith and farrier, and that on the day of the Innocents, he was arrested, and put in the prison of the Holy Office.

Questioned, who was his father, and wife; who were his grandfathers and uncles, paternal and maternal; his brothers and children; what were their birthplaces, residences, occupations, &c.

Answered, [Here follows a long account, in reply to the above queries.]

Questioned, of what lineage and stock were his ancestors, and collateral relatives; and if they, or any one of them, or himself, had ever been imprisoned, put under penance, absolved, or condemned by the Holy Office of the Inquisition.

Answered, that they were all old Christians of pure blood, and that he had never heard or understood that any one of them had been imprisoned, put under penance, absolved, or condemned by the Holy Office of the Inquisition; that he had never been imprisoned by the Holy Office till the present occasion.

Questioned, if he was a baptized and confirmed Christian, and made it a practice to attend mass, go to confession, and communicate, at the times fixed by the Holy Mother Church.

Answered, that he was a Christian, and was baptized, according as he had heard from his parents, in the cathedral church of Manresa, but did not know the name of the bishop who confirmed him; that he made it a practice to hear mass, confess, and commune, at the times prescribed by the holy Mother Church, and that his last confession was in the town of Valles Campo de Tarragona, in the month of October last, on the day of Our Lady del Rosario of the fleet of Don John of Austria, which confession was made to a Carmelite friar, of the convent of that city, whose name he did not know; that he received the holy sacrament from the hands of the same Friar; that he had also confessed and received the sacrament during the Lent of the last year, in the church of Igualada, before a priest belonging there, whose name he did not know; and that he had a certificate to this effect in his possession, when he was taken to prison.

Here he crossed himself, repeated the Paternoster, Ave Maria, and Credo in Latin, the Salve Regina, the ten commandments, the seven deadly sins, and the general confession in Catalan, all correctly, and declared he knew nothing more of the christian doctrine.

Questioned, if he could write or read, or had ever studied any science or faculty.

Answered, that he could read, but badly, having taught himself. That he had never studied any art, and could not write.

Questioned, if he had ever been out of the kingdom of Arragon, and with what persons.

Answered, that he had once visited the kingdom of Granada, but not in company with any person; and that he had never had communication with people of suspicious faith.

Questioned, what were the events of his life.

Answered, that he was born in the city of Manresa, as aforesaid, and brought up in the house of his father, till the age of sixteen years, when he was sent to the town of Igualada, to Maestre Ando, a blacksmith and farrier, with whom he staid four months, learning his trade; that he afterwards resided in several places in Catalonia, and then visited Arragon and Granada, as above stated, made no long stay, but returned hither about two years ago; that lately he had been dwelling in the village of Pont de Armenteria, Campo de Tarragona, where he was seized by the Holy Office and brought to prison.

Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being arrested and confined in the prison of the Holy Office.

Answered, that he knew not, nor could conjecture, unless it was for this; he had often cured persons of fevers and other disorders, with rosemary water, flor vitæ, rue, &c., which art he had learned from God and the holy Mary our Lady, from whom he had received a particular gift for this purpose.