The book El sambenito. Historia cotidiana de la Inquisición, by a renowned Modern History professor, offers a fresh perspective on this infamous garment. The work focuses on daily life, human relationships, and neighborhood denunciations during the Inquisition, reconstructing the social impact of these practices.
The 'sambenito' was a habit imposed on those condemned by the Holy Office for various reasons, mainly for heresies such as Judaizing, Islamizing, or Lutheranizing. Its use is documented since the first auto-da-fé in Seville in 1481, and its aesthetics varied according to the region and the type of sin, including flames for those condemned to the stake. These symbols of infamy persisted until the mid-18th century.
“"The current version of what the Inquisition generated with its accusations is the X network. It is the most evident and the most inquisitorial."
Beyond the physical garment, the 'sambenito' transformed into a 'manteta' hung in churches and cathedrals, becoming a large sign that left an infamous mark, disabling families for generations. This practice generated misery and uprooting, and although many of these symbols disappeared by the end of the 18th century, their linguistic legacy endures in expressions like “tirar de la manta” (to spill the beans) or “colgar el sambenito” (to stigmatize).
The expert emphasizes that infamy and slander remain prevalent, especially in small communities and, more notably, on social media. He considers platforms like X to be the contemporary version of inquisitorial accusations, where hoaxes and social cancellation act as new forms of stigmatization.
