The Myth of the Spanish Inquisition

Through special access to the secrets of the Spanish Inquisition's own archives, a very different version of events from that of popular mythology is uncovered about the Inquisition. It was certainly not blameless and on occasion would be ruthless. However its actions pall in comparison with the scale of persecution in other European countries. In the 16th century for example, 10 times as many heretics were burned in England as in Spain. The program examines and how and why the myth of the Inquisition developed.