Selections of Juan de Mariana’s writings on the Jews

Juan de Mariana (1536–1624) was a Spanish Jesuit theologian, biblical commentator, and historian — perhaps the greatest Spanish scholar of his age. He is best known for his monumental Historia General de España and for his controversial De Rege et Regis Institutione. His Scholia in Vetus et Novum Testamentum (Madrid, 1619) is a vast commentary on the entire Bible in Latin, drawing on Hebrew, Greek, and patristic sources. The following passages are drawn from that work and from his other writings. All Latin and Spanish originals are quoted directly from the sources linked below; English translations follow.

I. The Catholic Interpretation Is Far Sounder than Jewish Fables

From the Preface to the Scholia in Vetus et Novum Testamentum (1619):

“…ita, vt nullus sit locus cum Iudæis, aut hæreticis controversus, aut etiam fraude corruptus, in quo non ostendatur nostram interpretationem illorum fabulis multò esse synceriorem.”

“…so that there should be no passage — whether one contested with Jews or heretics, or even one corrupted by fraud — in which our interpretation may not be shown to be far more genuine than their fables.”

II. The Gentile Nations Succeed the Cast-Out Jews

On Genesis 9:27 (“May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem”), in the Scholia in Vetus et Novum Testamentum:

“Iudæi etiam à Sem venerunt, in quorum locum successere gentes Iapheti, posteri, cum ad Christum venere Iudæis eiectis.”

“The Jews also came from Shem, in whose place the nations of Japheth’s posterity succeeded, when they came to Christ after the Jews were cast out.”

III. The Jews Think It Lawful to Charge Usury to Foreigners

On Deuteronomy 23:20 (“To thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury”), in the Scholia:

“Ex hoc loco Iudæi putant sibi licere cum externis usuras.”

“From this passage the Jews believe it is lawful for them to charge interest to foreigners.”

IV. The Sin of Judah — Reprobation of the Jews

On Jeremiah 17:1, in the Scholia:

“Peccatum Iudæ. Postquam gentium vocationem attigit, reprobationis Iudæorum causam explicat: peccata gravia, & indelebilia.”

“The sin of Judah. After touching upon the calling of the Gentiles, he [Jeremiah] explains the cause of the reprobation of the Jews: grave and indelible sins.”

V. Jerusalem Taken, the Temple Overthrown — The Jews No Longer Practice True Worship

On Hosea 3:4 (“For the children of Israel shall sit many days without king… without sacrifice… and without teraphim”), in the Scholia:

“…ad hoc tempus respexit, quo Iudæi neque pium cultum exercent templo everso.”

“…this looks forward to the time at which the Jews no longer practice true worship, the Temple having been overthrown.”

VI. The Jews Bragged That They Belonged to the Circumcision Alone

On Philippians 3 (paraphrasing Paul), in the Scholia:

“Gloria in pudendis eorum, nempe, quod circumcisi essent, & non ex Gentibus, in eo tantum.”

“Their glory was in their shameful parts — namely, that they were circumcised and not from the Gentiles — in that alone.”

VII. The Jews Blind to the Fulfilment of the Messianic Prophecy

On Haggai 2:9 (“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former”), in the Scholia:

“Erdæi somniant, nos ob adventum & præsentiam Christi. Ea fuit gloria eius templi, non alia. De Messiæ adventu veteres Iudæi locum hunc intellexere.”

“The Jews dream [of material splendour]; we [understand it] on account of the coming and presence of Christ. That was the glory of that Temple, and no other. The ancient Jews themselves understood this passage to refer to the coming of the Messiah.”

VIII. The Doctrine and Traditions of the Jews Are Against the Law of God

On Luke 12:1 (“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees”), in the Scholia:

“Fermentum vocat doctrinam & traditiones Iudæorum contra legem Dei.”

“He calls ‘leaven’ the doctrine and traditions of the Jews that go against the Law of God.”

IX. The Kingdom of God Is Taken from the Jews and Given to the Gentiles

On Matthew 21:43 (“The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof”), in the Scholia:

“Regnum Dei. i. fidei doctrina auferetur Iudæis, qua constat Ecclesia. Dabitur facienti fructus eius. f. regni Dei fidem pietatem; nempe gentibus dabitur.”

“The Kingdom of God — that is, the doctrine of faith which constitutes the Church — will be taken away from the Jews. It will be given to him who brings forth its fruits, namely the faith and piety of the Kingdom of God; it will indeed be given to the Gentiles.”

X. The Expulsion of the Jews from Rome — They Stirred Up Tumults over Christ

On Acts 18:2, in the Scholia:

“Iussit cedere omnes Iudæos à Roma. Expulsionem Iudæorum factam nono Claudij anno Orosius refert libr. 7. cap. 7. causam Suet. in Claudio c. 25. quod tumultus concitarent, nempe de Christo cum Christianis disputantes, quos Iudæorum nomine comprehensos, & unà cum illis pulsos, Aquila & Priscilla monstrant.”

“He ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Orosius records the expulsion of the Jews, which occurred in the ninth year of Claudius (lib. 7, c. 7). Suetonius in Claudius, c. 25, gives the reason: that they were stirring up tumults — namely, by disputing about Christ with the Christians — and that Aquila and Priscilla demonstrate that these Christians were included under the name of Jews and expelled along with them.”

XI. The Gentiles Are Preferred to the Jews Who Possessed the Law

On Romans 9:30, in the Scholia:

“Mirum profecto Gentes sine Deo esse prælatas Iudæis, qui legis iustitiam tenebant. Sed nimirum offenderunt in lapidem, non susceperunt Christum; Gentes eum fide susceperunt. Ea illis ruinæ causa.”

“It is truly marvellous that the Gentiles, without God, should be preferred to the Jews, who possessed the righteousness of the Law. But of course they stumbled against the stone; they did not receive Christ, while the Gentiles received Him by faith. That was the cause of their ruin.”

XII. Israel Has Fallen So That the Gentiles Might Be Converted

On Romans 11:25, in the Scholia:

“Mysterium hoc, nolo ut ignoretis illud esse, cecidisse Israëlem, ut Gentes converterentur; fore tamen ait, ut & Iudæi aliquando convertantur.”

“This mystery, I would not have you ignorant of — that Israel has fallen so that the Gentiles might be converted; yet he says that the Jews too will one day be converted.”

XIII. The Jews Are Enemies of the Gospel — God Permitted Them to Kill Christ

On Romans 11:28, in the Scholia:

“Secundum Evangelium: i. tempore Evangelij sunt Iudæi inimici propter vos. i. ut vos intreis.

Inimici, quia permisit Deus, ut interficerent Christum, & sic redemptio in omnes redundaret.”

“According to the Gospel: that is, at the time of the Gospel the Jews are enemies on your account, namely so that you might enter [the Church].

They are enemies, because God permitted them to kill Christ, so that redemption might overflow to all.”

XIV. The Jews Killed Christ — They Are Opposed to All Men

On 1 Thessalonians 2:15, in the Scholia:

“Qui & Dominum occiderunt. Iudæi Christum occiderunt. Omnibus hominibus adversantur. f. fidelibus, aut gentibus propter id quod mox sequitur. Prohibentes gentes docere.”

“Who also killed the Lord. The Jews killed Christ. They are opposed to all men — that is, to the faithful, or to the Gentiles, on account of what immediately follows: forbidding [us] to preach to the Gentiles.“

XV. The Synagogue Did Not Admit All Nations — Only the Church of Christ Does

On Isaiah 56:7 (“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”), in the Scholia:

“Hoc Synagogæ tempore non est factum. Sed post Christum Ecclesia omnes admittit, & pari honore prosequitur. In Christo non est Gentilis & Iudæus, circumcisio & præputium.”

“This was not done in the time of the Synagogue. But after Christ, the Church admits all and honours them equally. In Christ there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision.”

XVI. The Pharisees in the Talmud — Seven Kinds of Hypocrites

On Acts 26:5, in the Scholia:

“Inter septem Pharisæorum genera, quæ cum suis nominibus in Thalmud libro סוטה [Sotah] numerantur, Paulus ex optimo erat.”

“Among the seven kinds of Pharisees, which are enumerated with their names in the Talmud, in the book Sotah, Paul was of the best kind.”

XVII. Jewish Disunity Into Pharisees and Sadducees Destroyed Their Republic

From De Rege et Regis Institutione (translated into Spanish as Del Rey y de la Institución Real):

“…esta mesma disidencia, que dividió á los hebreos en fariseos y saduceos, trujo la destruición de aquella república, tan floresciente en otro tiempo, y puso al pueblo escogido debajo del yugo de los romanos.”

“…this same dissension, which divided the Hebrews into Pharisees and Sadducees, brought about the destruction of that republic, once so flourishing, and placed the chosen people under the yoke of the Romans.”

XVIII. The Jews: A Race of Most Superstitious Men, Unlike All Others

From De Rege et Regis Institutione:

“…el ejemplo del pueblo hebreo, linaje de hombres tan supersticiosos y distintos de los demás…”

“…the example of the Hebrew people, a race of men so superstitious and so distinct from all others…”

XIX. The Jews Expelled from Spain as a People Harmful to All States

From the Historia General de España, on King Sisebut (c. 612 AD):

“…desterrase á todos los judíos de España como gente perjudicial á todos los estados… no solamente los judíos fueron echados de España y de todo el señorío de los godos… sino también con amenazas y por fuerza los apremiaron para que se bautizasen.”

“…that he should banish all the Jews from Spain as a people harmful to all the estates of the realm… not only were the Jews expelled from Spain and from all the dominion of the Goths… but they were also compelled by threats and by force to be baptised.”

XX. The Jews Know All the Paths of Money

From the Historia General de España, on Haman’s bribe to Ahasuerus (Esther 3:9):

“…ingente summa, & ad resarcienda ea tributa quæ ex ea gente colligebantur, magna haud dubium, quoniam omnes pecuniæ vias Iudæi norunt.”

“…a vast sum, without doubt large enough to make good all the tribute that was collected from that nation — for the Jews know all the paths of money.”

XXI. The Jews, Out of Hatred for the Christian Name, Opened the Gates of Toledo to the Moors

From the Historia General de España, on the fall of Toledo (711 AD):

“El arzobispo don Rodrigo dice que los judíos que quedaban en la ciudad… por el odio del nombre cristiano sin dilación abrieron las puertas á los vencedores… los judíos recebidos dentro de la ciudad, y por ellos los ciudadanos todos muertos ó presos.”

“Archbishop don Rodrigo says that the Jews who remained in the city… out of hatred for the Christian name, without delay opened the gates to the conquerors… the Jews were received inside the city, and through them all the citizens were either killed or taken prisoner.”

XXII. The Jews Mixed with the Moors Were Placed as Inhabitants of Córdoba and Granada

From the Historia General de España, on the Moorish conquest:

“…los judíos mezclados con los moros fueron puestos por moradores en Córdoba y en Granada á causa que los cristianos se habían ido á diversas partes y dejádolas vacíos.”

“…the Jews, mixed with the Moors, were placed as inhabitants of Córdoba and Granada, because the Christians had gone to various parts and left those cities empty.”

XXIII. The Jews Baptised Under Compulsion — Most Only in Pretence

From the Historia General de España, on the forced baptisms under Sisebut:

“gran número de judíos se bautizó, algunos de corazón, los mas fingidamente y por acomodarse al tiempo.”

“A great number of Jews were baptised — some sincerely, but the greater part only in pretence and to accommodate themselves to the times.”

XXIV. The Jewish Dispersal Among the Gentiles and Their Future Conversion

On Isaiah 66:20 (“And they shall bring all your brethren… as an offering to the Lord”), in the Scholia:

“Et adducent omnes fratres vestros. Iudæos dispersos inter gentes adducent in Ecclesiam.”

“And they shall bring all your brethren. The Jews scattered among the nations they shall bring into the Church.”

XXV. Pope Gregory the Great Praises the Visigothic King for Refusing Jewish Bribes

From the Historia General de España, on King Reccared and a letter from Pope Gregory I (c. 599 AD), Vol. II:

“La postrera es para el Rey para animalle como le anima á llevar adelante la Religión recebida, justamente alaba que las obras y frutos fuesen conformes á la profesión que hacia; porque como los Judíos le hobiesen acometido con gran dinero para que revocase cierta ley que contra ellos se promulgara, no quiso venir en ello.”

“The last [letter] is to the King, to encourage him as it encourages him to carry forward the religion he had received; it rightly praises him that his works and fruits were conformable to the profession he made; because when the Jews had assailed him with great sums of money to revoke a certain law that had been promulgated against them, he would not consent to it.”

XXVI. The Fourth Council of Toledo: Jews and Their Descendants Barred from Public Office

From the Historia General de España, on the decrees of the Fourth Council of Toledo (633 AD), Vol. II:

“Los Judíos en adelante no sean forzados á bautizarse. Los que forzados del Rey Sisebuto se bautizaron, perseveren en la fe que profesaron. Los Judíos y los que dellos decienden, no puedan tener públicos oficios y magistrados.”

“The Jews henceforth shall not be forced to be baptised. Those who were baptised by compulsion under King Sisebut shall persevere in the faith they professed. The Jews, and those who descend from them, shall not be permitted to hold public offices or magistracies.”

XXVII. The Sixth Council of Toledo: New Kings Must Swear Not to Favour the Jews

From the Historia General de España, on the Sixth Council of Toledo (638 AD), Vol. II:

“Ordenaron por decreto particular que no se diese la posesión del reyno á ninguno antes que expresamente jurase que no daria favor en manera alguna á los Judíos, ni aun permitiría que alguno que no fuese Christiano, pudiese vivir en el reyno libremente.”

“They decreed by particular ordinance that possession of the kingdom should not be granted to anyone before he swore expressly that he would give no favour in any manner to the Jews, nor even permit anyone who was not a Christian to live freely in the realm.”

XXVIII. The Seventeenth Council of Toledo: Jewish Conspiracy to Hand Spain Over to the Moors

From the Historia General de España, on the Seventeenth Council of Toledo (694 AD), Vol. II:

“Tratóse á instancia del Rey de desarraygar de todo punto del reyno los Judíos, porque como el Rey testifica en un memorial que presentó al concilio, se habían comunicado con los Judíos de Africa, de levantarse y entregar á España á los Moros. Que el mal cundiera mas de lo que se podía creer y secretamente estaba derramado por todas las partes de España… Que no era justo disimular y sufrir tan grave traycion: por tanto que confiriesen entre sí, y determinasen lo que se debia hacer. Esto propuso el Rey: los prelados acordaron que todos los Judíos se diesen por esclavos; y para que con la pobreza sintiesen mas el trabaxo, que todos sus bienes fuesen confiscados: demás desto que les quitasen los hijos luego que llegasen á edad de siete años, y los entregasen á Christianos que los criasen y amaestrasen.”

“At the King’s insistence it was treated of uprooting the Jews entirely from the realm, because, as the King testified in a memorial presented to the council, they had been communicating with the Jews of Africa, with the design of rising up and delivering Spain to the Moors. That the evil had spread further than could be believed and was secretly diffused throughout all parts of Spain… That it was not just to dissemble and suffer so grave a treason; and therefore that they should confer amongst themselves and determine what ought to be done. This the King proposed; and the prelates resolved that all the Jews should be given as slaves; and so that with poverty they might feel the labour the more, all their goods should be confiscated; besides this, that their children should be taken from them as soon as they reached the age of seven years, and delivered to Christians to be raised and instructed.”

XXIX. Jews and Moors Must Withdraw from the Church During the Divine Office

From the Historia General de España, on the constitutions of Archbishop Don Juan of Toledo (c. 13th century), Vol. IV:

“…hasta hoy dia se conservan las constituciones que por el mismo tiempo estableció el Arzobispo de Toledo Don Juan, en que (entre otras cosas) se manda que si los Judíos y Moros no se salieren de las Iglesias al tiempo que se celebran los divinos oficios, no se pase adelante.”

“…to this day there are preserved the constitutions which Archbishop Don Juan of Toledo established at that same time, in which (among other things) it is ordered that if the Jews and Moors do not withdraw from the Churches at the time the divine offices are celebrated, the service shall not proceed.”

XXX. A Jewish Favourite Governs the Whole Kingdom

From the Historia General de España, on the reign of King Alfonso XI of Castile (c. 1340s), Vol. IV:

“El color que tomáron, era quexarse que el nuevo Conde Alvaro Osorio y un Judío llamado Juzeph gobernaban todo el reyno y le trastornaban á su voluntad: que tenian rendido al Rey, como si les fuera esclavo, y como si le hobiéran dado bebedizos.”

“The pretext they took was to complain that the new Count Alvaro Osorio and a Jew named Juzeph were governing the entire kingdom and overturning it at their will; that they had the King so in their power as if he were their slave, and as if they had given him a love-potion.”

XXXI. Simuel Leví — Jewish Treasurer of the King

From the Historia General de España, on King Pedro I of Castile (c. 1355), Vol. IV:

“…en su compañía Juan Fernandez de Hinestrosa, y Simuel Leví, un Judío á quien queria mucho, y era su Tesorero mayor.”

“…in his company Juan Fernández de Hinestrosa, and Simuel Leví, a Jew whom he loved greatly, and who was his chief Treasurer.”

XXXII. The Jews Know Well the Ways of Gathering Money

From the Historia General de España, on King Enrique II of Castile and the Jewish tax collector Joseph Pico (c. 1380), Vol. IV:

“…se le quitó á esta nación la potestad que tenia y el tribunal para juzgar los negocios y pleytos de los suyos; desorden con que habían hasta allí disimulado los Reyes por la necesidad y á pretura de las rentas reales, y ser los Judíos gente que tan bien saben los caminos de allegar dinero.”

“…this nation was stripped of the power it had held and of the tribunal for judging the affairs and lawsuits of their own people; a disorder which the Kings had hitherto tolerated out of necessity and the pressure of the royal revenues, and because the Jews are a people that know so well the ways of gathering money.”

XXXIII. Vespasian’s War Against the Jews — A Stubborn and Turbulent People

From the Historia General de España, on the Emperor Vespasian, Vol. IV:

“…de do el año penúltimo de Nerón le llamáron para encargarle la guerra contra los Judíos, gente porfiada, y que con grande obstinación andaban alborotados.”

“…from there, in the penultimate year of Nero, they called him to put him in charge of the war against the Jews, a stubborn people who with great obstinacy were in a state of revolt.”

XXXIV. Jews and Moors Ordered to Wear a Distinguishing Mark

From the Historia General de España, on the Cortes of Toro (c. 1371), Vol. IV:

“Ordenóse en estas cortes, que los Judíos y Moros que habitaban en el reyno mezclados con los Christianos, que era una muchedumbre grandísima, truxesen cierta señal con que pudiesen ser conocidos.”

“It was ordered in these Cortes that the Jews and Moors who dwelt in the realm, mixed together with the Christians — who were a very great multitude — should wear a certain mark by which they could be recognised.”

XXXV. Anti-Jewish Riots Sweep Spain — The People Believed They Were Serving God

From the Historia General de España, on riots at Toledo (1212), Vol. III:

“Levantóse un alboroto de los soldados y pueblo en aquella ciudad contra los Judíos. Todos pensaban hacían servicio á Dios en maltratallos.”

“A riot broke out among the soldiers and people of that city against the Jews. All believed they were doing service to God by maltreating them.”

XXXVI. Anti-Jewish Riots Spread from Seville and Córdoba Across All Spain

From the Historia General de España, on the pogroms of 1391, Vol. IV:

“En Sevilla y en Córdova el pueblo se alborotó contra los Judíos de guisa que con las armas sin poder los jueces irles á la mano diéron sobre ellos, saqueáron sus casas y sus aljamas… Deste principio cundió el daño después por otras partes de España: en Toledo, Logroño, Valencia, Barcelona á los cinco de Agosto del año adelante, como si hobieran aplazado aquel dia, les robaron sus haciendas y saqueáron las casas; tan grande era el odio y la rabia.”

“In Seville and in Córdoba the people rose up against the Jews in such a way that with arms, with no judge able to restrain them, they fell upon them, sacking their houses and their aljamas [Synagogue quarters]… From this beginning the damage spread afterwards to other parts of Spain: in Toledo, Logroño, Valencia, Barcelona on the fifth of August of the following year, as if they had appointed that day, they robbed them of their property and sacked their houses; so great was the hatred and the fury.”

XXXVII. New Christians (Converso Jews) Riot in Toledo — The Descendants Pay for the Hatred of Their Ancestors

From the Historia General de España, on the Toledo uprising of 1449, Vol. V:

“…en especial se enderezó el alboroto contra los que por ser de raza de Judíos el pueblo los llama Christianos nuevos. El odio de sus antepasados pagaron sin otra causa los descendientes.”

“…the riot was directed in particular against those whom the people call New Christians on account of their being of Jewish stock. The descendants paid for the hatred of their ancestors without any other cause.”

XXXVIII. The Statute of Toledo — Converso Jews Barred from Public Office

From the Historia General de España, on the Statute of Toledo (1449), Vol. V:

“Hicieron á los seis de junio un estatuto en que vedaban á los Christianos nuevos tener oficios y cargos públicos, en particular mandaban que no pudiesen ser escribanos ni abogados ni procuradores, conforme á una ley ó privilegio del Rey Don Alonso el Sabio, en que decían y pretendían otorgó á la ciudad de Toledo que ninguno de casta de Judíos en aquella ciudad ó en su tierra pudiese tener ni oficio público ni beneficio eclesiástico.”

“On the sixth of June they made a statute forbidding New Christians to hold public offices and charges; in particular they ordered that they could not be notaries, lawyers, or attorneys, in accordance with a law or privilege of King Don Alfonso the Wise, by which they claimed and maintained he had granted to the city of Toledo that no one of Jewish stock in that city or its territory could hold any public office or ecclesiastical benefice.”

XXXIX. Those of Jewish Descent — Given to Avarice and Accustomed to Deceit

From the Historia General de España, on anti-converso uprisings in Córdoba (c. 1473), Vol. V:

“A un mismo tiempo en las ciudades y pueblos se levantaron alborotos contra los que descendían de Judíos, hombres que eran dados á la codicia y acostumbrados á engaños y embustes.”

“At one and the same time in the cities and towns there broke out riots against those who descended from Jews — men who were given to avarice and accustomed to deceits and impostures.”

XL. The Holy Inquisition Founded Because Jews Were Corrupting the Christian Religion

From the Historia General de España, on the establishment of the Inquisition in Castile (c. 1480), Vol. V:

“El principal autor y instrumento deste acuerdo muy saludable fué el cardenal de España, por ver que á causa de la grande libertad de los años pasados, y por andar Moros y Judíos mezclados con los Christianos en todo género de conversación y trato, muchas cosas andaban en el reyno estragadas. Era forzoso con aquella libertad que algunos Christianos quedasen inficionados: muchos mas, dexada la Religión Christiana que de su voluntad abrazaran convertidos del Judaismo, de nuevo apostataban y se tornaban á su antigua superstición.”

“The chief author and instrument of this most salutary resolution was the Cardinal of Spain, seeing that, owing to the great licence of past years and because Moors and Jews were mingled with the Christians in every kind of conversation and commerce, many things in the kingdom were going to ruin. It was inevitable with such licence that some Christians should become infected; and many more, having abandoned the Christian religion which they had of their own will embraced upon conversion from Judaism, were again apostatising and returning to their former superstition.”

XLI. The Expulsion of the Jews from Spain, 1492

From the Historia General de España, Book XXVI, Chapter I (“Que los Judíos fueron echados de España”), Vol. V:

“…los Reyes Don Fernando y Doña Isabel luego que se vieron desembarazados de la guerra de los Moros, acordaron de echar de todo su reyno á los Judíos. Con esta resolución en Granada, do estaban, por el mes de marzo del año mil y quatrocientos y noventa y dos hicieron pregonar un edicto en que se mandaba á todos los de aquella nación que dentro de quatro meses desembrazasen y saliesen de todos sus estados y señoríos, con licencia que se les daba de vender en aquel medio tiempo sus bienes, ó llevallos consigo.”

“…the Catholic Monarchs, Don Fernando and Doña Isabel, as soon as they found themselves free of the war against the Moors, resolved to expel all the Jews from their realm. With this resolution, while they were in Granada, in the month of March of the year one thousand four hundred and ninety-two, they had an edict proclaimed ordering all persons of that nation to vacate and depart from all their states and dominions within four months, with permission given them during that time to sell their goods or take them with them.”

XLII. The Jews Know All the Paths of Gathering Money — and Left with Spain’s Wealth

From the Historia General de España, Vol. V, continuing the expulsion account:

“El número de Judíos que salieron de Castilla y Aragón no se sabe: los mas autores dicen que fueron hasta en número de ciento y setenta mil casas, y no falta quien diga que llegaron á ochocientas mil almas: gran muchedumbre sin duda, y que dió ocasión á muchos de reprehender esta resolución que tomó el Rey Don Fernando en echar de sus tierras gente tan provechosa y hacendada, y que sabe todas las veredas de llegar dinero; por lo menos el provecho de las provincias adonde pasaron fué grande, por llevar consigo gran parte de las riquezas de España, como oro, pedrería y otras preseas de mucho valor y estima.”

“The number of Jews who left Castile and Aragon is not known: most authors say they numbered up to one hundred and seventy thousand households, and there are those who say they reached eight hundred thousand souls — a great multitude without doubt, and one that gave many occasion to reproach the resolution taken by King Don Fernando in driving from his lands a people so useful and wealthy, and that knows all the byways of gathering money; at the least the benefit to the provinces where they went was great, for they carried with them a great part of Spain’s wealth, such as gold, Jewels, and other valuables of much worth and esteem.”

XLIII. The Baptised Jews Returned to Their Old Ways — A People Composed of Falseness and Deceit

From the Historia General de España, Vol. V, continuing the expulsion account:

“…muchos dellos por no privarse de la patria, y por no vender en aquella ocasión sus bienes á menos precio, se bautizaron, algunos con llaneza, otros por acomodarse con el tiempo y valerse de la máscara de la Religión Christiana; los quales en breve descubrieron lo que eran, y volvieron á sus mañas como gente que son compuesta de falsedad y engaño.”

“…many of them, so as not to lose their homeland and so as not to sell their goods at that time at a loss, were baptised — some sincerely, others to accommodate themselves to the time and to avail themselves of the mask of the Christian religion; and these in short order revealed what they were, and returned to their old ways, as a people who are composed of falseness and deceit.”

XLIV. The Spanish Infanta Demands the Expulsion of Jews from Portugal as a Condition of Marriage

From the Historia General de España, on King Manuel I of Portugal (1496), Vol. V:

“Lo que la Infanta pedia, puesto que tenia algunas dificultades y muchos lo contradecian, al fin por ser cosa tan justificada se hizo por un edicto que á los postreros deste año se publicó, en que se mandaba á los Moros y Judíos que dentro de cierto tiempo saliesen de aquel reyno so pena que pasado el plazo que les señalaban, serian dados por esclavos.”

“What the Infanta demanded — though it had some difficulties and many opposed it — was in the end, as so just a thing, carried out by an edict published toward the close of that year, which ordered the Moors and Jews to leave the kingdom within a certain time, under pain that if the appointed term passed, they would be given as slaves.”

XLV. The Conversion of Jews from Portugal — Mostly Dissembled

From the Historia General de España, Vol. V, on the forced baptisms in Portugal (1497):

“…se tiene comunmente que la conversión de los Judíos de Portugal tuvo mucho de violenta, y los efectos lo han mostrado. Fué grande el número de los Judíos que en esta coyuntura se bautizó, algunos se ayudaron de la necesidad para hacer lo que era razón, otros disimularon, y adelante dieron muestra de lo que en sus pechos tenian encubierto.”

“…it is commonly held that the conversion of the Jews of Portugal was for the most part forced, and events have shown it to be so. Great was the number of Jews who at this juncture were baptised; some used the compulsion as an occasion to do what was right, others dissembled, and in time gave evidence of what they had concealed in their hearts.”

XLVI. Ethiopian Christianity Corrupted by Jewish Ceremonies and Heresy

From the Historia General de España, on the report of an explorer to the King of Spain (c. 1494), Vol. V:

“…en Ethiopia hay muchas naciones muy estendidas, todas de color negro, y que tienen nombre de Christianos, la antigua religión en gran parte estragada y mezclada con ceremonias de Judíos y errores de heregías.”

“…in Ethiopia there are many very widespread nations, all of black colour, who bear the name of Christians, [but] the ancient religion [is] in great part corrupted and mixed with the ceremonies of Jews and the errors of heresies.”

XLVII. The Etymology of “Marrano” — A Curse Applied to Apostates

From the Historia General de España, on a Carolingian-era charter of donation, Vol. II:

“…la maldición que en aquellas letras se contiene, es muy digna de ser considerada. Dice que el que quebrantare aquella donación, sea anathema, marrano y descomulgado: de lasquales palabras se entiende que esta viene palabra marrano no se deriva de la palabra Moro, como si dixésemos maurano… sino que antes de la palabra syríaca maranatha, con que en las divinas letras se significa la descomunión y maldición.”

“…the curse contained in those letters is very worthy of consideration. It says that whoever should violate that donation shall be anathema, marrano, and excommunicate: from which words it is to be understood that this word marrano does not derive from the word Moor, as if we were to say maurano… but rather from the Syriac word maranatha, by which in the divine Scriptures excommunication and cursing are signified.”

XLVIII. The Inquisition Established to Pursue Jews, Heretics, and All Enemies of the Catholic Religion

From the Historia General de España, on the attempt to introduce the Inquisition into Naples, Vol. VII:

“…el tribunal de la Inquisición, que con saludable consejo fué establecido en España setenta años antes por los Reyes Don Fernando y Doña Isabel, para perseguir á los Judíos, hereges, y demás enemigos de la Religión Cathólica.”

“…the tribunal of the Inquisition, which by wholesome counsel had been established in Spain seventy years earlier by the Catholic Monarchs Don Fernando and Doña Isabel, to pursue the Jews, heretics, and all other enemies of the Catholic Religion.”

XLIX. Jews Returning to Their Abjured Religion Pursued by the Inquisition in Portugal

From the Historia General de España, Vol. VII:

“Los Judíos que en otro tiempo habían sido arrojados de Castilla, y que volvieron á su abjurada creencia, eran perseguidos en Portugal por la inquisición, del mismo modo que los demás enemigos de la Religión Cathólica.”

“The Jews who had in former times been expelled from Castile, and who returned to their abjured belief, were pursued in Portugal by the Inquisition, in the same manner as all other enemies of the Catholic Religion.”

L. Philip II Issues Innumerable Decrees Against Jews, Heretics, and Moriscos in the Americas

From the Historia General de España, on Philip II’s governance of the Indies, Vol. VIII:

“Hállanse innumerables decretos suyos, en que manda con todo rigor á los gobernadores de las provincias que no tolerasen en parte alguna á los hereges, Judíos, Moriscos, Cismáticos, y otras pestes semejantes, para que con sus errores no inficionasen á los naturales del pais, nuevamente convertidos á la Religión Christiana.”

“There are to be found innumerable decrees of his, in which he commands with the utmost rigour the governors of the provinces to tolerate in no part whatsoever heretics, Jews, Moriscos, Schismatics, and other similar plagues, lest with their errors they should infect the natives of the country, newly converted to the Christian Religion.”

LI. Jews Serve as Intelligence-Gatherers for the Moors Against Spain

From the Historia General de España, on the defence of a Spanish garrison in Africa, Vol. VIII:

“Después de esto vinieron algunos Judíos á comerciar, y fingiendo Yenegas el peligro en que había estado de perder la fortaleza, les refirió por menor todo el suceso… Los Judíos lo refirieron inmediatamente á los Moros.”

“After this some Jews came to trade, and Yenegas, feigning the danger in which he had stood of losing the fortress, related to them in detail all that had occurred… The Jews reported it immediately to the Moors.”

LII. Jewish Ancestry Disqualifies a Pretender to the Portuguese Throne

From the Historia General de España, on Antonio, Prior of Ocrato, claimant to the crown of Portugal (1580), Vol. VIII:

“Finalmente Antonio prior de Ocrato, hijo espurio de Luis hermano de Enrique, y habido en una manceba de padres Judíos, y ínfimos mercaderes, no dexaba piedra por mover para apoderarse del cetro, lo que irritó de tal modo á Don Enrique, que no solo no declaró Rey á este hombre tan indigno, sino que le mandó salir desterrado.”

“Finally Antonio, Prior of Ocrato, the bastard son of Luis the brother of Enrique, begotten of a concubine born of Jewish parents and the most menial of merchants, left no stone unturned in his efforts to seize the sceptre, which so incensed Don Enrique that not only did he not declare so unworthy a man King, but ordered him into exile.”

LIII. A Turkish Pasha Has a Venetian Captain Flayed Alive by a Jew

From the Historia General de España, on the fall of Famagusta, Cyprus (1571), Vol. VIII:

“Pero el bárbaro con una perfidia mas que púnica, después de haberle cortado las orejas y las narices, le mandó desollar por mano de un Judío, mientras que el infeliz llamaba á Dios como testigo y vengador de tan horrible engaño y maldad.”

“But the barbarian, with a treachery more than Punic, after having cut off his ears and nose, ordered him to be flayed alive by the hand of a Jew, while the unhappy man called upon God as witness and avenger of so horrible a deceit and wickedness.”

LIV. St. Vincent Ferrer Converts Thirty-Five Thousand Jews in Spain by Preaching

From the Historia General de España, on the apostolate of St. Vincent Ferrer, Vol. XI:

“De los viciosos que convirtió, no diré nada; en sola España por su predicación se bautizáron ocho mil Moros, y treinta y cinco mil Judíos: cosa maravillosa; en particular en el obispado de Palencia se hiciéron Christianos casi todos los Judíos.”

“Of the vicious whom he converted, I shall say nothing; in Spain alone by his preaching eight thousand Moors and thirty-five thousand Jews were baptised — a marvellous thing; in particular in the bishopric of Palencia almost all the Jews became Christians.”

LV. Laws Against Jewish Usury — Jews to Wear a Red Badge

From the Historia General de España, on laws enacted in Castile (c. 1408), Vol. XI:

“…para domeñar á los obstinados y duros se ordenó de nuevo entre otras cosas que los Judíos no pudiesen dar á logro, cosa entre ellos muy usada; y que para ser conocidos traxesen sobre el hombro derecho por señal un redondo de paño roxo, como tres dedos de ancho.”

“…to subdue the obstinate and hardened it was further ordained, among other things, that the Jews could not lend at usury — a practice very common among them — and that in order to be recognised they should wear upon the right shoulder as a mark a circle of red cloth about three fingers broad.”

LVI. The Talmud Prohibited — A Comprehensive Anti-Jewish Bull

From the Historia General de España, on the bull of Antipope Benedict XIII (Tortosa, 1415), Vol. XI:

“Los principales cabezas son las siguientes: Los libros del Talmud se prohiben. Los denuestos que los Judíos dixeren contra nuestra Religión, se castiguen. No puedan ser jueces, ni otro cargo alguno tengan en la república. No puedan edificar de nuevo alguna sinagoga, ni tener mas de una en cada ciudad. Ningun Judío sea médico, boticario, ó corredor. No puedan servirse de algun Christiano. Anden todos señalados de una señal roxa ó amarilla, los varones en el pecho y las hembras en la frente. No puedan exercer las usuras, aunque sea con capa y color de venta. Los que se bautizaren, sin embargo puedan heredar los bienes de sus deudos. En cada un año por tres veces se junten á sermón que se les haga de los principales artículos de nuestra Santa Fé.”

“The main heads are the following: The books of the Talmud are prohibited. The insults which the Jews may utter against our Religion shall be punished. They may not be judges, nor hold any public office in the commonwealth. They may not build any new Synagogue, nor have more than one in each city. No Jew shall be a physician, apothecary, or broker. They may not employ any Christian in their service. All shall wear a red or yellow mark — the men on the chest, the women on the forehead. They may not practise usury, even under the guise and colour of a sale. Those who are baptised may nonetheless inherit the property of their relatives. Once a year on three occasions they shall assemble for a sermon to be preached to them on the principal articles of our Holy Faith.”

LVII. Pablo de Cartagena — A Converted Jew Who Testified That His Own Nation Was Unfit for Public Office

From the Historia General de España, on Don Pablo de Santa María (Pablo de Cartagena), Bishop of Burgos, Vol. XI:

“Su nacion y profesion fué de Judío desde sus primeros años, el mas rico y principal entre aquella gente, dado á la leccion de los libros sagrados y á las otras ciencias. Con deseo de saber revolvia las obras de Santo Thomás de Aquino, que escribió en materia de Theología: con esta leccion se convenció de la ventaja que hace la verdad Christiana á las fábulas y á las invenciones Judaycas; finalmente se bautizó… confianza que de pocos de aquella nacion se podia hacer, segun que el mismo Don Pablo lo atestiguaba, que no se debia encomendar algún cargo público á aquella gente por ser de ingenios doblados, compuestos de mentiras y engaños, que ni valen para la guerra, ni son de provecho para la paz.”

“His nation and profession were Jewish from his earliest years — the wealthiest and most eminent among that people, devoted to the reading of the sacred books and the other sciences. Desirous of learning, he turned over the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas, who wrote on the subject of Theology; by this reading he was convinced of the superiority that Christian truth holds over the fables and the inventions of the Jews; and finally he was baptised… a confidence which could be reposed in very few of that nation, as Don Pablo himself testified: that no public office ought to be entrusted to that people, for they are of duplicitous minds, composed of lies and deceits, useful neither for war nor of benefit in peace.”

LVIII. Many Christians Were Turning Jews — Enemies of Christ Walked Freely in the Royal Court

From the Historia General de España, on a dispute between two friars at Segovia (c. 1468), Vol. XII:

“El uno afirmaba en sus sermones que muchos Christianos se volvian Judíos, en que pretendia tachar el libre trato que con los de aquella nacion y con los Moros se tenia; y era así que muchos de aquellas naciones enemigos de Christo libremente andaban en la casa Real y por toda la provincia.”

“One [friar] affirmed in his sermons that many Christians were becoming Jews, by which he sought to censure the free intercourse that was had with people of that nation and with the Moors; and it was indeed so that many of those nations — enemies of Christ — walked freely in the Royal household and throughout the whole province.”

LIX. The Portuguese Infanta Refuses to Marry a King Who Protects Jews

From the Historia General de España, on the marriage negotiations of King Manuel I of Portugal (c. 1496), Vol. XIII:

“La Princesa por otra parte no queria volver á Portugal ni dar su mano á un Rey que protegia á los Judíos. D. Manuel, que deseaba con ansia este matrimonio, se resolvió echarlos de sus estados y les señaló un cierto término para salir del reyno, mandando que si no lo verificaban quedarian esclavos ellos y sus hijos.”

“The Princess on her part refused to return to Portugal or give her hand to a King who protected the Jews. Don Manuel, who desired this marriage ardently, resolved to expel them from his states and fixed a certain term for them to leave the kingdom, ordering that if they did not do so they and their children would become slaves.”

LX. The Spanish Crown Extracts 220,000 Ducats from the Jews

From the Historia General de España, on the expedition of King João II of Portugal (c. 1481), Vol. XIII:

“…sacó de los Judíos doscientos veinte mil ducados concediéndoles algunos privilegios.”

“…he extracted from the Jews two hundred and twenty thousand ducats, conceding them certain privileges.”

LXI. Two Jews on Columbus’s Commission Steal His Project

From the Historia General de España, on Christopher Columbus and King João II of Portugal, Vol. XIV:

“El Rey nombró tres comisionados instruidos en la materia, que fuéron D. Diego… y dos Judíos, los quales examinaron el plan de su proyecto; y miéntras lo estaban exáminando, hiciéron partir un piloto en una carabela con órden de seguir el derrotero que Colon ponia en su memoria.”

“The King appointed three commissioners expert in the matter — Don Diego… and two Jews — who examined the plan of his project; and while they were examining it, they dispatched a pilot in a caravel with orders to follow the route that Columbus had set out in his memorial.”

LXII. The Great Expulsion — Thirty Thousand Families Depart, Carrying Spain’s Wealth

From the Historia General de España, on the expulsion edict of the Catholic Monarchs (March 30, 1492), Vol. XIV:

“Sus Magestades publicáron el 30 de Marzo un edicto mandando á todos los Judíos que habia en sus estados que en el término de seis meses abrazasen la Religión Christiana ó saliesen del reyno; y con este motivo se fuéron mas de treinta mil familias, unos al Africa y otros á Portugal. Se llevaron riquezas inmensas sin embargo de haberles prohibido sacar oro, plata ni alhajas preciosas.”

“Their Majesties published on the 30th of March an edict ordering all the Jews in their states that within the space of six months they should embrace the Christian religion or leave the kingdom; and for this reason more than thirty thousand families departed, some to Africa and others to Portugal. They carried off immense riches, notwithstanding the prohibition against taking out gold, silver, or precious Jewels.”

LXIII. The Lisbon Massacre — A Friar Urges the People to Avenge the Injuries the Jews Have Done to Christ

From the Historia General de España, on the Lisbon pogrom of 1506, Vol. XIV:

“Acudióles un frayle de aquel monasterio, que hizo al pueblo un razonamiento en que los animó a vengar las injurias que los Judíos hiciéron y hacian a Christo; que fué añadir leña al fuego, y acuciar a los que estaban furiosos, para que llevasen adelante su locura… La furia fué tal que en tres dias que duró el alboroto, diéron la muerte á pasadas de dos mil personas de aquella nacion.”

“A friar from that monastery came to them, and made a speech to the people in which he urged them to avenge the injuries which the Jews had done and were doing to Christ; which was to add fuel to the fire, and to goad those who were already furious to carry their madness further… The fury was such that in the three days the riot lasted, they put to death more than two thousand persons of that nation.”

LXIV. Jews Expelled from Naples Along with Converso Refugees Fleeing Spain

From the Historia General de España, on tumults in Naples over the Inquisition (c. 1510), Vol. XV:

“La revuelta fué tan grande que por atajar mayores males el Virrey publicó un edicto en que mandaba que los Judíos y los nuevamente convertidos, que viniéron en gran número de España huidos, saliesen de aquel reyno, y desembarazasen por todo el mes de Marzo.”

“The revolt was so great that to forestall greater evils the Viceroy published an edict ordering that the Jews and the newly converted — who had come in great numbers fleeing from Spain — should leave that kingdom and be gone by the end of March.”

LXV. Philip II Bans Moors, Jews, and All Sectarians from the Americas

From the Historia General de España, on Philip II’s governance of the Indies, Vol. XV:

“…mandando que se tratase con blandura á los Indios, y que no se permitiese entrar en sus dominios Moros ni Judíos ni ninguna otra especie de sectarios, y que los Obispos cuidasen en que los neofitos fuesen bien instruidos en la Religion y en las reglas de las buenas costumbres.”

“…ordering that the Indians be treated with gentleness, and that Moors, Jews, nor any other kind of sectarians be permitted to enter his dominions, and that the Bishops take care that the neophytes be well instructed in Religion and in the rules of good customs.”

LXVI. The Expulsion of the Moriscos — Obstinate People in League with the Enemies of Christendom

From the Historia General de España, on the expulsion of the Moriscos from all Spain (1609–1614), Vol. XVI — Mariana’s account, as a precise parallel to his treatment of the Jews:

“Fué este año muy notable por la expulsion que en él se hizo de los Moriscos de toda España, gente obstinada, y que tenian inteligencia con los Turcos y Moros de Berbería.”

“This year was very notable for the expulsion carried out in it of the Moriscos from all of Spain — a stubborn people, who maintained communications with the Turks and Moors of Barbary.”

LXVII. A Jewish Conspirator Offers 100,000 Escudos to Betray Portugal to Spain

From the Historia General de España, on the conspiracy against King João IV of Portugal (c. 1641), Vol. XVIII:

“Desde luego pensó que nadie podia servir mejor para esta comision que un judío amigo suyo llamado Baeza, porque era muy rico, y conocido en Portugal y en España por su gran comercio. Habia hecho grandes servicios al Conde Duque de Olivares, y en recompensa le habia honrado con el Orden de Cristo causando indignacion general en la nobleza. Este judío aborrecia el nuevo gobierno porque habia mandado al Inquisidor general que velase sobre su conducta. Luego que Manuel le propuso el plan de la conjuracion, no solamente lo abrazó con gusto, sino que ofreció cien mil escudos para contribuir al buen éxito, y hacer entrar en él todos los judíos.”

“He straightway thought that no one could serve better for this commission than a Jewish friend of his named Baeza, because he was very rich and known in both Portugal and Spain for his great commercial dealings. He had rendered great services to the Count-Duke of Olivares, who had rewarded him with the Order of Christ, causing general indignation among the nobility. This Jew hated the new government because it had ordered the Inquisitor General to watch over his conduct. As soon as Manuel proposed the plan of the conspiracy to him, he not only embraced it willingly, but offered a hundred thousand escudos to contribute to its success, and to bring in all the Jews.”

LXVIII. The Jews Plot to Set Lisbon on Fire to Cover an Assassination

From the Historia General de España, on the conspiracy against King João IV of Portugal, Vol. XVIII:

“Resultó de sus declaraciones que habian concertado con el Ministro de España que la noche del cinco de Agosto los Judíos pondrian fuego al palacio y á muchas casas de la ciudad para ocupar al pueblo, y con el pretexto de apagar el incendio entrarian los conjurados y asesinarían al Rey.”

“It emerged from their declarations that they had agreed with the Spanish Minister that on the night of the fifth of August the Jews would set fire to the palace and to many houses in the city in order to occupy the people, and under the pretext of extinguishing the blaze the conspirators would enter and assassinate the King.”

LXIX. Jews Who Escape the Inquisition’s Prisons Set Lisbon on Fire During the Great Earthquake

From the Historia General de España, on the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, Vol. XX:

“Los bandidos y los forzados que se escapáron de las cárceles, con esta ocasion, pegáron fuego á muchos barrios y casas de la ciudad para obligar á los habitantes á salir de ellas y robar con mas seguridad. Los mas de estos delincuentes fuéron judíos escapados de las cárceles de la inquisicion. La mayor parte de éllos pereciéron en la horca pagando de este modo la pena que merecian sus maldades.”

“The bandits and galley-slaves who had escaped from the prisons took this occasion to set fire to many quarters and houses of the city in order to force the inhabitants out of them and rob more freely. The greater part of these criminals were Jews who had escaped from the prisons of the Inquisition. Most of them perished on the gallows, paying in this way the penalty their wickedness deserved.”

LXX. The Catalans’ Devotion to Barcelona Compared to the Jews‘ for Jerusalem

From the Historia General de España, on the defence of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession (c. 1713), Vol. XX:

“…habia dentro de ella mucha tropa que habia venido de las otras plazas del principado para defensa de la capital que la miran los Catalanes con tanto amor como los Judíos á su Jerusalen. No la nombran jamás sino con una especie de satisfaccion y vanidad.”

“…inside there were many troops who had come from the other fortresses of the principality for the defence of the capital, which the Catalans regard with as much love as the Jews their Jerusalem. They never name it save with a kind of satisfaction and pride.”

Sources