The inquisition in the Spanish dependencies Sicily—Naples—Sardinia—Milan—the Canaries—Mexico—Peru—New Granada

This work takes listeners on a richly documented tour of the Spanish Inquisition’s far‑flung tribunals, from the Mediterranean islands of Sicily, Naples, Sardinia and Milan to the distant reaches of the Canary Islands and the American colonies of Mexico, Peru and New Granada. By comparing how each jurisdiction adapted the central authority’s daunting powers, the narrative reveals the varied ways local officials exercised—and sometimes abused—their mandate, shaping the religious and social fabric of each community.

Drawing on a trove of confidential correspondence, official reports and the meticulous research of scholars such as Don José Toribio Medina, the author illuminates the often‑hidden machinery of inquisitorial life. The American chapters expose the Inquisition at its most oppressive, showing how its interference tangled with colonial governance and sowed long‑lasting discord that hindered political and economic progress. Listeners gain a nuanced picture of an institution whose shadow stretched far beyond the Iberian Peninsula, influencing the destiny of entire empires.