Who were the 'New Christians' (or 'Conversos') in Spain around 1500?

zbeckabee

Converso (Spanish and Portuguese for "a convert", from Latin conversus, "converted, turned around") and its feminine form conversa referred to Jews or Muslims or the descendants of Jews or Muslims who had converted to Catholicism in Spain and Portugal, particularly during the 14th century and 15th century. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversos Dec 09 07, 10:11 PM

queproblema

As the Wiki article says, the converted Muslims were called "moriscos," or "moorish" and the converted Jews, "marranos," or "pigs." Their conversion in many cases was not voluntary or genuine. It is from this latter group that my husband's family is likely descended, though the conversion to Roman Catholicism eventually, if perhaps not originally, became sincere. "Los Reyes Catolicos"--the Catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella--eradicated all but at least nominal Roman Catholics from Spain with their successful "Reconquista" and were then free to pursue other ventures, such as financing Columbus's voyages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconquista Dec 10 07, 1:06 AM