Jew-Baiter of the Middle Ages

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22895, 16 December 1939, Page 16

Jew-Baiter of the Middle Ages

The author presents an interesting study of a man who has come down in history as a symbol of sadism and bigotry through his establishment of the hated Spanish -Inquisition, but who, Mr Allen Shows, deserved wider , notice from posterity than that. For Torquemada, according to the author, was the precursor of the modern dictators, and his activities were directed along, much the same lines. His ardent fanaticism was as much for his. country as for his religion; the two indeed were intermingled inextricably. Torquemada’s hatred of

Jews sprang from deep-rooted psychological causes. Coming himself from proud Spanish stock, he yet had in his veins what was considered the taint of Jewish blood. This gave hiin an inferiority complex which manifested itself in the persecution of Jewish people living in Spain. He hated them first on personal grounds, but also .on religious and patriotic grounds; for he perceived the power of wealth/that lay in the hands of the Jews and the economic menace they presented to the united Spain it was his purpose to achieve. He was in very truth the power behindthe throne and because 'of his astute-

Torquemada. By Thomas Hope. George Allen and Unwin Ltd. 245 pp. (8 s6d net.)

ness he was able to play first on the greed of the King and secondly on the religious fervour of the Queen to achieve his end, the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Blit far-seeing as Torquemada was, he coiuld not see that in building in the mariner he did for „ the immediate greatness of his country he was at the same time preparing for its destruction. Some of the most interesting passages in the book are devoted to the methods of the Inquisition, methods startlingly akin to the. methods used in dictatorridden countries to-day. , This is a fascinating study.