With revolting hypocrisy they even adjured the hangmen to be merciful, well knowing that the latter had no option but to carry out the sentence of the church.
Magistrates who endeavored to exercise any discretion in favor of the condemned were promptly threatened with excommunication.
If anything could be wanting to complete the horror it was supplied by the festive spirit of the executions.

The _Auto da Fe_, [Sidenote: _Auto da Fe_] or act of faith, was a favorite spectacle of the Spaniards; no holiday was quite complete without its holocaust of human victims.

The staging was elaborate, and the ceremony as impressive as possible.

Secular and spiritual authorities were ordered to be present and vast crowds were edified by the horrible example of the untimely end of the unbeliever.

Sundays and feast days were chosen for these spectacles and on gala occasions, such as royal weddings and christenings, a special effort was made to celebrate one of these holy butcheries.
The number of victims has been variously estimated.