Evaluate the effectiveness of the Roman Inquisition in support of the Counter Reformation.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the effectiveness of the Roman Inquisition in support of the Counter Reformation. The Roman Inquisition was a system of tribunals developed by the Roman Catholic Church to prosecute those accused of crimes relating to religious doctrine or alternative religious beliefs. Candidates may evaluate its effectiveness in prosecuting heresy, Protestantism, sorcery, blasphemy, Judaism and witchcraft. Candidates may also discuss the effectiveness of the Roman Inquisition in the censorship of printed literature that promoted ideas hostile to the Church. Candidates may also evaluate the efficiency the tribunals of the Roman Inquisition had in geographical terms. They may consider the relations the Holy See established with different rulers, who allowed the Inquisition to act in their territories, in regions under papal jurisdiction and/or specially influenced by Rome such as Italy and Malta. Candidates may also measure the limited effectiveness the Roman Inquisition had in northern Europe where the spread of Protestantism was wider. Candidates may also argue that Roman Inquisition policies were more focused on pre-emptive control than punishment. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the effectiveness of the Roman Inquisition in support of the Counter Reformation.