The inquisition in Malta (9) : in search of evidence

Abstract

Straightforward cases in which persons admitted their guilt were soon brought to an end by the Inquisitor. His search for evidence, however, became complicated when third persons were involved in the accusations. Each and every person accused had to be summoned to verify the truth in the charges. Before every summon, the Inquisitor made sure to gather all the necessary information about the person involved. At each third-person denouncement of someone else, it had to be ascertained that other witnesses mentioned could be summoned. Although referred to as witnesses, these persons were merely told that they needed to appear before the Inquisition Tribunal. The first question they were asked was: "Do you know why you have been summoned here and why we seek this information about you, or can you at least suspect the reason?''