Indulgence. Huete, 1490

INNOCENT VIII (1432–1492).
[Indulgence promoting the crusade against Granada. Formula for the dead. Spanish].
Broadside, printed on vellum.
[Toledo (or Huete?): Alvaro de Castro], 1490. (07047)

This recently discovered vellum broadside is the only known copy of a previously unrecorded Spanish indulgence. Originally sold in order to grant the remission of sins to the souls of deceased family members, this indulgence also raised money for the “holy crusade” against the Muslim inhabitants of the southern province of Granada. As stated in the text, one-third of the proceeds went directly to the military campaign.

Although the printer Alvaro de Castro normally worked in Huete, it is believed that he printed this indulgence under the close supervision of the Archbishop at Toledo in 1490, just two years prior to the final reconquest of the last Muslim territories in Spain. The signature of the buyer was written in the provided space, but is not legible. In the lower margin is the commissary’s autograph endorsement and the remains of the wax seal of the Holy Office.