Catholic Religious Medal, Spanish Inquisition Era - 1500s to 1700s - Spanish Empire

Note: Some of these medals still have an attached bail (the loop used to string a pendant), while others do not. If you intend to wear your medal on a chain, select "Wearable: Yes" in the item options above. These bronze religious medals showcase figures from Catholicism, including Jesus, the Virgin Mary, angels, and numerous saints. They date from the late Renaissance in the 16th century to the end of the early modern period in the 18th century, which would have been in the middle of the Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish Inquisition (1478–1834) was a judicial institution officially established to combat heresy in Spain. However, its actual purpose extended beyond this religious mandate. In practice, the Spanish Inquisition was used as a tool to consolidate power in the monarchy of the newly unified Spanish kingdom, with religious motivations being a secondary concern. History of Catholic Religious Medals: Also known as "devotional medals," these religious items trace their roots to the