Sanbenito

Goya Tribunal.Flammenhut

Sanbenito was a penitential garment that was given to those convicted by the Spanish Inquisition to wear during their punishment. The term "Sanbenito" derives from the Spanish words "saco bendito," meaning "blessed sack." This garment was akin to a sackcloth or a scapular, varying in design depending on the judgment passed by the Inquisition. The Sanbenito served both as a symbol of penance and a mark of infamy, distinguishing the wearer as a heretic, converso, or someone found guilty of other religious offenses.

History and Description

The practice of wearing a penitential garment as a form of public penance has roots in early Christian tradition. However, the specific use of the Sanbenito by the Spanish Inquisition began in the late 15th century, following the establishment of the Inquisition in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. The Inquisition aimed to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, particularly among the conversos (Jews who had converted to Christianity).

Sanbenitos were made of yellow cloth for those who repented and green for those who did not. They were often emblazoned with crosses, flames, and sometimes with the image of a demon or a gallows, symbols that indicated the nature of the wearer's sentence. Those who were reconciled to the Church wore the Sanbenito during the auto-da-fé, a public ceremony that included their sentencing and penance, and sometimes for life. Conversely, those condemned to death were garbed in a Sanbenito that depicted flames, signifying their imminent execution by burning.

Variations

There were several variations of the Sanbenito, depending on the severity of the offense and the sentence:

• Sanbenito de penitencia: Worn by those who were reconciled to the Church. It was typically yellow with St. Andrew's crosses.
• Sanbenito de relajado: Worn by those handed over to the secular arm for execution. It often featured flames and sometimes images of devils.
• Samarrilla: A cloak that was worn over the Sanbenito, sometimes used to increase the humiliation of the condemned.

Cultural Impact

The Sanbenito became a powerful symbol of shame and was designed to humiliate the wearer. Families of those who wore a Sanbenito could also suffer social stigma, affecting their social and economic standing. In some cases, the Sanbenitos of executed or reconciled individuals were hung in churches as a reminder of their shame, a practice that could last for generations.

Legacy

The use of the Sanbenito and the practice of the Spanish Inquisition have been subjects of historical study, reflecting on the period's religious intolerance and the mechanisms of social control. The Sanbenito, as a symbol of the Inquisition's power to impose conformity and punish deviation, remains a poignant reminder of a darker period in religious history.