Repression and Control

Abstract

Control over society and religious life took many forms, and we have already encountered facets of this in considering the powers of bishops and their vicars, in the increased influence of parish priests, with charitable institutions that could restrict as well as comfort, and in the educational policies and practices of Sunday schools. However, the Inquisition is most associated with Catholic repression, and judged the chief weapon of the ‘Counter Reformation’. The Inquisition tribunals could be brutally repressive, but some of their procedures can be positively interpreted as re-education towards a better Christian life, eradicating superstitions and attempts at magical practices that few would welcome continuing. The first trial of the miller Menocchio (Domenico Scandella), and the early trials of the Friulian benandanti, night-battlers, can be seen both as learning processes for inquisitors, and re-education exercises to induce right thinking in the accused.¹ Some activities of the early Inquisition featured in Chapter 1, while Chapter 3 outlined the basic structures of the Roman Inquisition. This chapter will look more closely at procedures, targets, effects and interactions with society.