It often seems that many prominent people of the past are wronged by often-repeated descriptions, which in time are taken as truth. The same is also true of events, which are frequently presented in a particular way when there might be many alternative viewpoints. This blog is intended to present a different perspective on those who have often been lost in the myths of history.
To celebrate the coming of Christmas and to thank all the kind people
who have purchased my books and sent me lovely emails during 2013, for
the next few days, I am creating a
kind of Advent Calendar, with a different offer each day.
Tomorrow, Sunday 1st
December, I am beginning with offering a FREE download to
Kindle of my new book: Alice, The Enigma. If you have a Kindle,
please feel free to help yourself to a copy!
(The offer applies only for one day so please don't forget to collect your copy!)
Like many other people, I grew up with the idea that the Spanish Inquisition was one of the most violent and aggressive religious groups that ever existed. Stories of tortures and cruelty abounded and it came as a surprise to see this BBC video (from the 1990s) and discover that, compared to the majority of Kings and governments of the era, the Spanish Inquisition was relatively tame! Unlike the maniacal puritans who were obsessed with persecuting witches, the Inquisitors viewed ancient rites as superstition or misguidedness and did not persecute those who adhered to those beliefs. Nor did the Inquisitors (by the standards of the time) employ so much torture - apparently 15 minutes was the maximum time allowed for torture and no one could be tortured more than once.
Of course, such practices are still barbaric but, as this video puts the Spanish Inquisition in context, it appears extremely mild in comparison to, for example, Henery VIII's barbarism! Yet another myth of history...
