CHAPTER X--POLITICAL ACTIVITY.

Assertion that the Inquisition was a political Instrument 248

No Trace of its Agency in the Development of Absolutism 249

Rarely called upon for extraneous Service 251

Case of Antonio Pérez 253

Assassination of Juan de Escobedo 254

Pérez replaced by Granvelle--is imprisoned--escapes to Saragossa--is condemned in Madrid 255

Futile Attempts to prosecute him before the Justicia of Aragon 258

The Inquisition called in and prosecutes him for Blasphemy 258

He is surrendered to the Tribunal--the City rises and rescues him 259

Philip's Army occupies Saragossa--Pérez escapes to France--Execution of the Justicia Lanuza 263

Prosecutions by the Inquisition in opposition to the policy of Philip II--Auto de fe of October 20, 1592 267

Córtes of Tarazona in 1592 curtail the Liberties of Aragon 269

Death of Pérez in 1611--his memory absolved in 1615 272

Sporadic Cases of Intervention by the Inquisition 273

It is used in the War of Succession 275

Gradually becomes subservient under the Bourbons 276

Is a political Instrument under the Restoration 277

Sometimes used to enforce secular Law--The Export of Horses 278