Popular culture and the inquisition : 1677–1678

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to study some aspects of popular culture during the Inquisitorship of Ercole Visconti, 1677-1678. The introductory chapter deals partly with the situation in Malta in the 1670s, and partly with the Inquisition. The second chapter discusses the irreverence towards official religion by the Maltese. Chapter three attempts to analyse the role of education and literacy. It transpires that the low level of education probably instigated 'popular' religion. On their part, the common folk frequently resorted to magical practices in trying to control the natural calamities. In their attempt to master the supernatural, they sometimes even created local 'saints' who enabled them to create a direct link with God. On its part the Inquisition did its utmost to control such popular religious beliefs. Indeed the Inquisition considered control of unethical behaviour by the faithful as its ‘raison d'être’, and did its utmost to make them conform to official church practices.