Inquisition and Enlightenment

Abstract

This chapter provides a panoramic overview of inquisitorial activity in Eighteenth-century Spain. It also attempts to outline the basis for the censorial activity of the Tribunal and its relations with other forms of censorship, addressing the state of the question of the impact of the Inquisition in the development of the Spanish Enlightenment. The chapter also focuses on authors who tried to subvert inquisitorial control, both in terms of reformist attempts at curtailing its power as well as other strategies such as the publications of texts in defense of censored works where the judgment of the censors is challenged publicly.