BY Meha

I shall for my second article give a summary account of the laws and customs observed by the Inquisition when fully established.

During about two and a half centuries the Inquisition was advancing forward in established form. In France, it soon became complete. At Carcassonne and at a few other places, the Inquisitors had houses of their own, better defined as Courts and Prisons, for the exercise of their authority. At first they proceeded arbitrarily, using all means within their reach for the accomplishment of their purpose—but without any code of instructions.

Between 1294 and 1303, secret examinations became more acknowledged as one of the first customs and gave the courts, at once and for all time, a character of their own.

Terror, and bodily torture came second; they were used in the gaining and making up of the reports and confessions.

Then into history came Eymeric, who flourished in the reign of Peter IV, King of Aragon. His entire period of active service as an inquisitor was not less than forty years, and during these years his activity was immense. With his coming came the laws, description and theory of the Inquisition.

The directory of Eymeric exhibits the practice of the Inquisition at the time of its first publication in 1578, and republication in 1587, it instructed Inquisitors to the following effect :

Prosecution

"In the cause of Heresy you should proceed quietly and simple, without formality and noise of pleadings. There should be no delay, no interruptions, no appeal and as few witnesses as possible."

"There are three ways of proceeding in cases of heresy; by accusation, by information, and by inquiry."

The Inquisition was told, through (he directory, to seldom make use of accusation, inasmuch as it was unusual and dangerous to the accuser. The Inquisitors were therefore discouraged from accusations and to content themselves with the gathering of helpful information. But he could if he wished prepare a charge officially at the instance of the Party.

In most cases, the court proceeded on information. Given in writing and attested by an oath on the four gospels, the Inquisitor received his information in private with no other witnesses than his secretary.

The information might have appeared groundless at first sight, but the Inquisitor must not cancel it on that account; for, "what cannot be brought to light today, may be made clear tomorrow."

When there was no informer, then inquiry came into play; either in general with the population hunting for heretics, or undertaken only by the Inquisition. "There ought to be two witnesses to confirm the suspicion; and their evidence will be valid, even if they cannot say that they have even heard him utter an erroneous opinion, but can only testify they have heard it from others. Neither need they say what they have heard; for it suffices if they declare that people will talk suspectingly about him."

Witnesses

"Every witness who appears against a heretic must be examined and sworn in by the Inquisitor, in the presence of a secretary. Having put him the usual questions, the examiner must bind him to secrecy. The criminal must not see the witnesses or know who they are."

In causes of heresy, testimony from all sorts of persons was advisable. They may have been excommunicated, infamous, accomplices, or convicted of any crime. Heretics, too could give evidence; but only against the victim. The testimony of infidels and Jews was taken. The testimony of false witnesses was also taken. Wives, for example—could have their testimoney accepted against him; but it could never avail to his advantage.

"When the culprit is informed of the charges against him, the names of witnesses should be concealed; or, if there be any particulars in the charges that would help him to guess the names, the testimony given by one person should be contributed to another; or names should be substituted of persons that were not witnesses; but, after all, it is best to suppress all names."

Torture Again

Part I of this article had a small part dealing with torture. Here in the words of Eymeric are a few of the rules observed when subjecting a prisoner to torture:—

"A.	Torture is inflicted on one who confesses the principal fact, but varies as to circumstances.
B.	The torture may bring out full proof; when there is no witness, but vehement suspicion.
c.	Any two indications of heresy will justify the use of torture.
D.	Let the tormentor terrify him by all means to frighten him into confession.
E.	If he will not confess, the torture may be continued on a second or third day."

Although nobles were exempt from torture, the Inquisitors were nevertheless authorised to torture without restriction persons of all classes.

It is very strange when you think about it, just a little over two hundred years ago, people In Europe, were still burning their own kind as heretics. While on the new continent of America, there was in existence Freedom of Religion. The only place on the earth, where people were given the right of freedom of religion by the power of the Government Strange again that Europe, should have taken so long in destroying the Inquisition and the causes it stood for.

The Auto-De-Fe

Now we will try to describe—in general, the usual preparations for the public execution of heretics; the Auto-De-Fe.

When an Inquisitor had determined to sentence on a company of prisoners, he appointed a Sunday or Feast -day for the occasion. Avoiding however, Lent, Easter, or Christmas. The day being fixed, general notice was given from the pulpits, that at the lime and place appointed, there would be a "general Sermon of the Faith" delivered by the Inquisitor. A living picture of the last judgment would be repressented for the instruction of the faithful.

A crier would come forth from the Palace of the Inquisition, and in the public places display an order that no person from that hour until the day after execution should carry arms or proceed in coach, sedan, or horseback through the streets or square where the scaffolding was erected.

Meanwhile, preparations began in the Holy House. The prisoners had their beards shaven off and their hair cut.

On the morning of the fatal day, the culprits were brought out of their cells, attired in black or yellow. For the spectacle they were told to sit. upon the ground in silence, not moving any limb, and await their hour.

Those to be burnt were placed in a separate group and were asked to repent and be reconciled. If they did they were offered a less painful death by strangulation or beheading.

All preparations being complete, the Chief Inquisitor proceeded to the door of his palace and read out the names of each offender. Each person came when called, with all his marks upon him—marks of starvation, torture, terror, shame; or often with a smile of conquest upon his lips.

The whole group would then start off towards the place of execution. The Church in front followed by the repentent, who in turn were followed by those to be burned and finally, to do honour and service to the occasion, the civic authorities. The clergy would comprise the tail-end.

The Hearth

Outside of the cities that were big enough in size, especially in Spain, were to be found places of burning. As our own language is too poor to provide a name for such a thing, we will borrow from Spanish, and call it the "quemadero." The quemadero, was a piece of pavement devoted to the sole use of burning human bodies. Sometimes it would be raised above the level of the ground and at limes was even surmounted with statues or pillars, to distinguish and beautify the spot. They were raised I suppose to try and keep the smoke and smell away from the nostrils—but with little success.

It was here the victims were brought and sacrificed like animals to the gods—but in this case to only one God; who promised love and peace to those who would be his followers. Strange ways people have in doing honour to him.

The third article in the series will deal with the courts and various happenings connected with the Inquisition.