Tribunal de la Inquisición de Lima
Item
Country
CL
Name of institution (English)
National Historical Archive
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
spa
Contact information: postal address
Miraflores 50, Santiago de Chile
Contact information: phone number
0056 2 2997 85 11
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
archivonacional.historico@archivonacional.gob.cl
Reference number
CLAN / HTIL
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Tribunal of the Inquisition of Lima
Title (official language of the state)
Tribunal de la Inquisición de Lima
Language of title
spa
Creator / accumulator
Tribunal de la Inquisición de Lima
Date(s)
1518/1822
Language(s)
spa
Extent
513 books
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
This fonds comprises documentation produced by the Inquisitorial Court in Lima. From 1569 to 1820, the Inquisition of Lima prosecuted about 1,474 people, of whom 32 were condemned to death; among the latter, there were 23 Conversos accused of "crimes of Judaism". The fonds reflects the activity of this court, which had a strong connection with other inquisitorial courts, royal institutions in Madrid, and local agents (the so-called "comissários") that were essential for extending the territorial implementation of this court.
The documentation is organised into four main series:
1) Judicial files (1671-1817);
2) "Autos" (1699-1820);
3) Documents related to the last years of the Inquisition of Lima (1796-1820);
4) "Ofícios", i.e. instructions and orders (1570-1793).
In general, the fonds contains documentation related to judicial procedures, reappraisal of goods, embezzlement of funds, inventories and seizure of assets, and irregularities in the administration of sacraments, among other subjects. It also includes a few notarial deeds, royal decrees, and provisions related to the court's functioning.
In the National Historical Archive of Chile, researchers have access to information through microfiches, which are difficult to read. The archive has a complete typed inventory.
The National Archives of Chile and Peru contain documentation from the Inquisition Court established in Lima. They also contain the documentation produced by the courts and court officials of Cartagena and Mexico and documents related to several "comissários" (inquisitorial officials) of Guatemala and other Spanish-American territories.
The documentation is organised into four main series:
1) Judicial files (1671-1817);
2) "Autos" (1699-1820);
3) Documents related to the last years of the Inquisition of Lima (1796-1820);
4) "Ofícios", i.e. instructions and orders (1570-1793).
In general, the fonds contains documentation related to judicial procedures, reappraisal of goods, embezzlement of funds, inventories and seizure of assets, and irregularities in the administration of sacraments, among other subjects. It also includes a few notarial deeds, royal decrees, and provisions related to the court's functioning.
In the National Historical Archive of Chile, researchers have access to information through microfiches, which are difficult to read. The archive has a complete typed inventory.
The National Archives of Chile and Peru contain documentation from the Inquisition Court established in Lima. They also contain the documentation produced by the courts and court officials of Cartagena and Mexico and documents related to several "comissários" (inquisitorial officials) of Guatemala and other Spanish-American territories.
Archival history
The Lima Inquisition began to operate in 1570 in a building currently located in front of the Church of La Merced, in the Plaza Bolívar, in Lima. Part of the Inquisition of Lima fonds was brought to Santiago after the Government of Chile purchased it on January 9, 1890. For the reasons that might explain why the documents of Lima came to Chile, see Vassallo (2010).
Sources:
Administrative / Biographical history
On January 25, 1569, the Spanish Crown established new Inquisition courts in Lima and Mexico. From its origin to 1820, when the Tribunal of the Inquisition in Lima was abolished, 40 "autos da fé" were held, and about 300 people were trialled, of whom 48 were "relajados" (condemned to death). According to Jose Toribio Medina (1956), about 20% of the trials were of bigamy, the most common crime punished by the tribunal. The "crime of Judaism" represented nearly 17% of the Inquisition of Lima's trials.
The Tribunal of Lima was first suppressed on July 30, 1813. Restored in 1814, it maintained a nominal existence until 1820, when it was definitively suppressed.
The Tribunal of Lima was first suppressed on July 30, 1813. Restored in 1814, it maintained a nominal existence until 1820, when it was definitively suppressed.
Sources:
Access points: locations
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is organised according to document type. Series are organised chronologically.
Finding aids
Some finding aids are available in the archive reading room.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2023
Bibliography
Published primary sources
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Archivo Nacional Histórico (Chile) | Collections (official language of the state) |