ANTONIO
DE MENDOZA OR THE LONG SHADOW OF A SILENT SEDITION1
María Jesús Torquemada Sánchez
Prof. Titular Departamento de Derecho Romanao e Historia del Derecho, Facultad
de Derecho Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
1.The translation of this paper is by the New Zealanders Neil and Beryl Solomon
researchers. They have devoted several decades to the study of the genealogy
and life trajectory of the Sephardic Mendoza family.
The document analyses the life and identity of
Juan Antonio de Castro, also known as Antonio de Mendoza, a Sephardic Jew
involved in the Inquisition, exploring his significance in the context of Jewish
lineage and the historical persecution of crypto-Jews in Spain.
The full document as a Adobe Acrobat Doc. can be
found here.
FULL SUMMARY
Historical Context of the Mendoza Family
The text explores the historical significance of
Juan Antonio de Castro, also known as Antonio de Mendoza, and his family's
experiences during the Spanish Inquisition.
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Juan Antonio de Castro was a crypto-Jew born
in Jaén, Spain, in 1660.
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He is considered by some as the patriarch of
the Jewish Mendoza lineage.
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The Inquisition targeted him and other
crypto-Jews for practicing Judaism secretly after forced conversions.
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The expulsion of Jews in 1492 led to a
significant diaspora, with many fleeing to other European countries.
The Impact of the Inquisition on Crypto-Jews
The Inquisition's persecution of crypto-Jews is
a central theme, highlighting the social and legal ramifications of their secret
practices.
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The Spanish Inquisition began in 1478,
targeting those who converted to Catholicism but continued Jewish practices.
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Many crypto-Jews faced trials and severe
punishments, leading to a culture of secrecy and fear.
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The Holy Office was responsible for
enforcing religious conformity and persecuting dissenters.
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The persecution resulted in a diaspora, with
many Jews fleeing to Portugal and beyond.
Juan Antonio de Castro's Life and Aliases
The text details the life of Juan Antonio de
Castro, his various aliases, and the complexities surrounding his identity.
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Juan Antonio de Castro used multiple aliases
to evade Inquisition scrutiny, complicating genealogical research.
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He was involved in various professions,
including being a master-of-arms.
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His identity is intertwined with the broader
narrative of crypto-Jews who practiced Judaism in secret.
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The Inquisition records indicate he was
arrested in 1696, with conflicting birth year claims complicating his
biography.
Modern Implications of Sephardic Ancestry
The text discusses contemporary interest in
Sephardic ancestry and the legal implications for descendants seeking
citizenship.
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Legislation enacted in 2015 allows
individuals to obtain EU citizenship by proving Sephardic ancestry.
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This has led to increased interest among
descendants worldwide, including those in the UK post-Brexit.
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Genealogists and historians are actively
researching Sephardic origins, often for financial gain.
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The descendants of crypto-Jews, like actor
Peter Sellers, highlight the ongoing legacy of this historical persecution.
The Role of Genealogy in Understanding Heritage
The text emphasizes the importance of genealogy
in tracing the lineage of crypto-Jews and their descendants.
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Many descendants are eager to connect with
their Sephardic roots, often seeking genealogical assistance.
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The complexities of historical records make
it challenging to establish clear family connections.
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The interest in genealogy has surged due to
recent legal changes and media portrayals of Sephardic history.
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Genealogists are documenting the extensive
kinship networks of crypto-Jews, although accuracy is often uncertain.
Inquisition Proceedings Against Juan Antonio de
Castro
The text details the legal proceedings and
accusations against Juan Antonio de Castro, also known as Antonio de Mendoza, by
the Inquisition in Seville.
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Juan Antonio de Castro was arrested on March
29, 1696, accused of fautoría (aiding heretics) and later of practicing
Judaism.
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He was held in secret prisons, with his
property seized to cover his upkeep.
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Initial age recorded was 43, but later
documents stated he was 36 at the time of arrest, leading to confusion.
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He claimed to be the son of Pedro de Castro
and Ana María de Torres, but inconsistencies in his surname raised
suspicions.
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His trial involved multiple hearings and
testimonies from various witnesses, with accusations of aiding other
crypto-Jews.
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The Inquisition sought to investigate his
family connections, revealing a network of crypto-Jews.
Family Connections and Accusations
The text explores the familial ties of Juan
Antonio de Castro and the implications for his trial.
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Juan Antonio had several brothers, including
Gaspar, who had previously been reconciled by the Inquisition for Judaizing.
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His brother Blas de Castilla and nephew Juan
Francisco Díaz were also implicated in the same network of crypto-Jews.
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The Inquisition noted discrepancies in
surnames among family members, a tactic used by crypto-Jews to evade
detection.
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The family was interconnected, with multiple
members facing charges of Judaism and fautoría.
Trial Developments and Legal Proceedings
The text outlines the progression of Juan
Antonio's trial and the legal complexities involved.
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The trial spanned from March 1696 to 1698,
with numerous hearings and testimonies collected from various Inquisition
courts.
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Juan Antonio was subjected to torture on
April 19, 1698, but did not confess to the charges.
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The Inquisition's records grew from 25 pages
to 189 pages as the case developed.
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The Seville Inquisitors struggled to agree
on a sentence, leading to consultations with the Supreme Council in Madrid.
Sentencing and Final Outcomes
The text concludes with the sentencing details
and implications for Juan Antonio de Castro.
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On June 1, 1698, the Supreme Council ordered
Juan Antonio to be publicly tried, with a sentence that included abjuration
and loss of property.
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He was to be exiled from Madrid, Seville,
and Jaén for six years and prohibited from using the surname Mendoza.
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The sentence reflected the severity of the
charges, combining both spiritual and temporal penalties.
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The case illustrates the broader context of
the Inquisition's efforts to root out heresy and the complexities of
identity among crypto-Jews.
The Inquisition's Sentencing of Juan Antonio de
Castro
Juan Antonio de Castro faced severe penalties
from the Inquisition for practicing Judaism and aiding others in similar
practices.
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Juan Antonio was sentenced to wear a
sambenito, a tunic symbolizing his heretical acts.
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He was required to abjure Judaism formally,
indicating strong evidence against him.
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His non-spiritual penalties included
forfeiting half of his assets and a six-month imprisonment in the
Penitentiary Prison.
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He was exiled from Madrid, Seville, Jaén,
and Puerto de Santa María for six years, with a ten-league exclusion zone.
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He was prohibited from using the surname
Mendoza and had to adopt the surname de Castro, with a punishment of 200
lashes for non-compliance.
The Auto de Fe Ceremony and Its Implications
The Auto de Fe ceremony marked a significant
moment in Juan Antonio's trial, leading to his public recantation.
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The ceremony took place on December 21,
1698, in the church of Santa Ana.
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Juan Antonio recanted his heresy during the
Auto de Fe, complying with his sentence.
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The ceremony aimed to clear overcrowded
prisons and was attended by multiple inmates facing similar charges.
Juan Antonio's Imprisonment and Transfer
Requests
Juan Antonio's imprisonment conditions and his
requests for transfer highlight the dangers he faced.
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He spent nearly three years in secret
prisons before being sentenced.
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He argued that returning to the Penitentiary
Prison posed a risk to his life due to past confrontations.
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He requested a transfer to a different
prison, suggesting Llerena, to avoid potential retaliation.
The Escape and Subsequent Developments
Juan Antonio's escape from the Inquisition's
control remains uncertain, with implications for his family.
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He was reported as having escaped before or
after his intended transfer to Llerena.
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His name appeared on a list of fugitives in
1701, indicating he had evaded capture.
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The Inquisition's inability to track him
reflects the challenges they faced in controlling crypto-Jewish networks.
The Family Network and Inquisitorial Trials
The interconnectedness of Juan Antonio's family
reveals a broader network of crypto-Jews facing persecution.
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Several of his relatives, including brothers
Blas and Juan, were also tried by the Inquisition for similar charges.
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The family was involved in clandestine
Jewish practices, indicating a long history of resistance against the
Inquisition.
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The trials of family members often led to
the exposure of others, showcasing the Inquisition's strategy of targeting
familial networks.
The Legacy of Juan Antonio de Castro
Juan Antonio's legacy continues through his
descendants and their connections to Jewish communities in Europe.
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His nephew, Miguel de Mendonça, was later
tried by the Portuguese Inquisition, revealing ongoing family ties to
Judaism.
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Miguel's confessions indicated that Juan
Antonio had settled in Amsterdam, living openly as a Jew for years.
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The narrative of Juan Antonio de Castro
reflects the resilience of crypto-Jewish communities in the face of
persecution.
Historical Context of Judeo-Converts
The text discusses the historical background of
Judeo-converts in Spain, particularly focusing on the town of Jaén and the
impact of the Inquisition.
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The expulsion of Jews from Spain in the late
15th century led to an influx of Judeo-converts in Jaén.
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Many converts returned from Portugal due to
the Portuguese Inquisition's severity.
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The inquisitorial records reveal
complexities in the identities of converts, including name changes and
familial connections.
Genealogical Confusion Surrounding Juan Antonio
de Castro
The text examines the genealogical discrepancies
related to Juan Antonio de Castro, alias Antonio de Mendoza, and his family
lineage.
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Juan Antonio de Castro is identified as the
son of Pedro de Castro and Ana María de Torres, but baptismal records show a
different mother, Ana de Morales.
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The name Antonio was common, complicating
identification.
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The use of surnames among conversos often
involved substitutions for reasons of safety and identity.
Inquisitorial Records and Personal Identity
The text highlights the challenges in
establishing the true identity of Juan Antonio de Castro based on inquisitorial
records.
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The inquisitors required him to use his
parents' surnames, indicating he was not using them previously.
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He avoided using the surname Castro, which
was common among New Christians, and did not consistently use Morales or
Torres.
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The records suggest he was intelligent
enough to avoid misleading the inquisitors with easily verifiable
information.
Life and Relationships of Juan Antonio de Castro
The text provides insights into the personal
life and relationships of Juan Antonio de Castro during his time.
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He worked in various trades related to
weaponry and had a significant relationship with a woman named Ángela de
Montalván.
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His lifestyle was adventurous, lacking a
traditional family structure, which raises questions about his offspring
attributed to him later.
Discrepancies in Family Connections
The text discusses inconsistencies in the
familial connections of Juan Antonio de Castro and the patriarch David de
Mendoza.
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A document from 1710 mentions a Juan de
Mendoza with ten children, possibly a relative of Juan Antonio de Castro,
but lacks clear connections.
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The baptismal records do not support the
existence of siblings for Juan Antonio, raising doubts about his familial
claims.
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The nephew Miguel de Mendonça's statements
about living with his uncle in Amsterdam do not align with the claims of a
large family in London.
Challenges in Genealogical Research
The text emphasizes the difficulties faced by
genealogists in tracing the lineage of conversos due to incomplete records.
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Many baptismal and marriage records are
missing, complicating the identification of family connections.
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The frequent repetition of names and
surnames in Jaén during the period adds to the confusion.
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The transition from Christian to Jewish
identity often involved adopting new names, making historical tracing
challenging.
Conclusion on Genealogical Reliability
The text concludes with a caution regarding the
reliability of genealogical claims about the Mendoza lineage.