'Auto-da-fe'

Act of Faith.

P

Thanks chaps - that illustrates why this forum is so valuable. It gives access to a wealth of accumulated knowledge on all subjects.

Ross; the novel is 'The Lonely Dead' by Michael Marshall, and a sequel to 'The Straw Men'.

I love his writing style, and observations on life in general.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

P

Cardinal Fang; you will have to say it:-

"Our chief weapons are fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope"

Isn't it astonishing - the trivia one remembers?

Thanks 'P' - made me titter.

An auto da fé was a great public demonstration too, with the nobility in special stands to watch, a sort of mediaeval Cup Final. The heretics were led out in robes (white for penitent ones, I think) and tied to their stakes. The penitent would be strangled at the stake while the non-penitent would be burned alive without benefit of any such anaesthesia. Before the festivities proper commenced, those present would take an oath of allegiance to the Inquisition. The Church naturally didn't enforce this if the King were present, but the fanatically Catholic Philip II would take it with raised sword in hand.

Tones, the man with the golden ear trumpet