María de Cazalla facts for kids

María de Cazalla (born in 1487) was a Christian mystic who lived in Castile, a region in what is now Spain, during the early 1500s. She was known for her deep religious beliefs and spiritual practices.

María was born in Palma del Río. Her family had a background as conversos, meaning they were Jewish people who had converted to Christianity. María herself was married to an Old Christian, someone whose family had always been Christian. Together, they had six children. She was also the sister of Juan de Cazalla, who worked as a secretary for Cardinal Cisneros, an important leader in the church.

Facing the Spanish Inquisition

María de Cazalla became involved in a long trial with the Spanish Inquisition. The Inquisition was a powerful religious court in Spain. Its job was to find and judge people whose religious beliefs were different from the official teachings of the Catholic Church.

What was the Inquisition?

The Spanish Inquisition was a special court that started in the late 1400s. Its main goal was to make sure everyone in Spain followed the same Christian faith. If someone was thought to have different ideas, they could be put on trial.

María's Trial and Accusations

María de Cazalla's trial began in 1532 and lasted until December 1534. She was accused of having ideas that were considered heresy. These included beliefs related to:

• Lutheranism: This was a new Christian movement started by Martin Luther in Germany.
• Erasmism: These were ideas from a famous scholar named Erasmus, who wanted to reform the church from within.
• Alumbrados: This was a group in Spain who believed in a very personal and direct connection with God.

María was questioned by the Inquisition as early as 1525. She was later put in prison in 1532. During her time in captivity, she faced difficult conditions.

The Outcome of the Trial

After a long process, María de Cazalla was found not guilty of the most serious charges against her. However, she still faced some punishments. She had to go through a public shaming ceremony in a church in Guadalajara. She was also ordered to pay a fine of one hundred ducats, which was a large sum of money. In addition, she was told not to have contact with her old friends and associates.

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