Religion and society; the Jesuits, Inquisition and relations with the Papacy

The idea

During Philip II’s reign, religion permeated Spanish society, acting as a unifying force but also a tool for social control. The Spanish Inquisition expanded its focus from conversos to rooting out Protestantism, notably in the 1558–1559 autos-da-fé in Valladolid and Seville, and enforcing Tridentine decrees. The Jesuits, founded by Ignatius of Loyola, became highly influential in education and the Counter-Reformation, though Philip remained suspicious of their independence and direct loyalty to Rome. Relations with the Papacy were complex; while Philip championed Catholicism globally, he frequently clashed with Popes like Pius V and Sixtus V over jurisdictional rights, royal prerogatives, and the control of ecclesiastical appointments.

What earns the marks

• Assess the role of the Inquisition in enforcing religious uniformity and social control, including censorship through the Index of Prohibited Books.
• Evaluate the impact of the Jesuits on Spanish education and their role in the broader Catholic Counter-Reformation.
• Analyse the tension between Philip II and the Papacy over royal prerogative, specifically the crown's right to appoint bishops and control church revenues.
• Examine how religious orthodoxy shaped Spanish society, including the emphasis on limpieza de sangre (purity of blood) and its social consequences.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Assuming Philip II always agreed with the Pope.

  Put it right by noting they frequently clashed over jurisdictional power and the pase regio.

• Overstating the Protestant threat in Spain.

  Put it right by noting that indigenous Protestantism was minimal and swiftly crushed by the Inquisition by 1560.

• Confusing the Spanish Inquisition with the Roman Inquisition.

  Put it right by emphasising that the Spanish Inquisition was under direct royal control, not papal control.

Exam tips

• Use specific examples of papal conflicts, such as the Carranza affair, to demonstrate the limits of papal authority in Philip's Spain.
• When discussing the Jesuits, highlight the tension between their vow of obedience to the Pope and Philip II's desire for absolute royal control over the Spanish Church.
• Link the concept of limpieza de sangre to social mobility and the pervasive atmosphere of suspicion within Spanish society.