New-Christians of Viseu and the Inquisitorial Inquest: Understandings on a Specific Community (16th and 17th Centuries)

Abstract

By the late 1400’s, after the forced conversion of religious minorities in Portuguese territory, within the city of Viseu still thrived a specific community that drew its ancestry from old mosaic law. Many of its members had arrived from Castille benefiting from regular borderland flows (between Portugal and the now Spain). Apt for knowledge and science – revealing historical traits towards adaptation and pragmatism – they will place themselves in a central role regarding local geographical dynamics, either as tax collectors, physicians, lawmen, landowners or most important yet international merchants. Guided by singular ethics – anchored on the preservation of memory – these converse families take part of a wider equilibrium, structured by the periods clientele system and common to new and old Christians. However, the rise of new integrational logics and power dynamics will violently shake the city and the equation of forces at play. The inquisitorial interference will profoundly alter the rhythms and survival of the converse community’s central core, “distracted” with accusations of heresy. Some will succumb in prison, others by fire or garrotte. Many flee, attempting to save both their lives and their wealth, resulting in the loss of those that added to Viseu’s vigour but were never able to surpass the stigma of “impure blood”.