In April 1506, a wave of horrific violence swept through Lisbon, the bustling capital of the Kingdom of Portugal, an event tragically remembered as the Lisbon Massacre, also known as the Lisbon Pogrom or the 1506 Easter Slaughter. This dark chapter in Portuguese history saw a zealous crowd, composed of local Catholics and various foreign sailors whose ships lay anchored in the Tagus River, unleash brutal persecution upon hundreds of individuals. These victims were mercilessly tortured, killed, and burned at the stake, targeted primarily because they were accused of being Jews, and thus deemed guilty of profound religious transgressions: deicide and heresy.

The Seeds of Suspicion: Portugal's "New Christians"

To fully grasp the context of the 1506 massacre, one must look back a few years. Just nine years prior, in 1497, King Manuel I had issued a decree forcing all Jews residing in Portugal to convert to Catholicism. This drastic measure followed the expulsion of Jews from the kingdom in 1496 and was largely a political maneuver, tied to his marriage to Isabella of Aragon, daughter of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, who had themselves expelled Jews from their territories in 1492. Overnight, a significant segment of Portugal's population became "New Christians" (Cristãos Novos or Conversos). Despite their forced conversion, many were viewed with deep suspicion by the "Old Christians" (Cristãos Velhos), who doubted the sincerity of their faith and accused them of secretly practicing Judaism, a charge that carried the grave implication of heresy. This environment of enforced conformity and pervasive distrust simmered beneath the surface of Portuguese society, laying fertile ground for the tragedy to come.

The Spark of the Slaughter: Easter Sunday, 1506

The powder keg of suspicion exploded on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1506. The immediate catalyst occurred in the Church of São Domingos in Lisbon. During a Mass, some attendees claimed to see a luminous glow emanating from a crucifix, interpreting it as a divine miracle. However, a "New Christian" reportedly expressed skepticism, suggesting the glow was merely a reflection. This questioning of a perceived divine sign proved to be a fatal misstep. Fueled by two Dominican friars who incited the congregation against the alleged "heretic," the crowd's fervor quickly turned into violent outrage. The "New Christian" who voiced doubt was dragged from the church and murdered, marking the grim beginning of the massacre.

Three Days of Terror: The Unfolding Violence

What began as an isolated incident swiftly escalated into a widespread and indiscriminate hunt. Over the next three days, the streets of Lisbon became a scene of unimaginable horror. Mobs, now swollen with a mix of local inhabitants and foreign sailors – drawn by the promise of plunder and driven by religious fanaticism – systematically pursued anyone suspected of being a "New Christian" or a secret Jew. Homes were invaded, and individuals were dragged from their families. The accusations of deicide (the charge that Jews were responsible for the death of Christ) and heresy served as powerful justifications for the brutal acts that followed. Victims were subjected to torture, brutally killed, and their bodies, often still alive, were thrown onto pyres and burned in public squares, particularly the Rossio. The scale of the atrocities was immense; historians estimate that between 2,000 and 4,000 people perished during this horrific period, though contemporary accounts often vary. Entire families were annihilated, and their properties looted, transforming the city into a theater of terror.

The Crown's Response and Lasting Legacy

King Manuel I was not in Lisbon when the massacre began, reportedly at Abrantes. Upon hearing of the atrocities, he reacted with outrage, though his absence at the onset allowed the violence to spread unchecked. He swiftly ordered an investigation and the severe punishment of those responsible. The two Dominican friars who had incited the mob were tried and executed, as were some of the key instigators from the foreign sailor population. The city of Lisbon itself suffered a temporary loss of some privileges as a form of royal censure. However, while the king condemned the violence, the underlying issue of religious conformity remained unresolved. This tragic episode underscored the fragility of the "New Christian" population's position and, perhaps ironically, provided further impetus for the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition. Three decades later, in 1536, this powerful ecclesiastical tribunal would be formally instituted, dedicated precisely to rooting out suspected heresy and "Judaizing" practices among the Conversos, solidifying a century of religious persecution that the 1506 Easter Slaughter had so chillingly foreshadowed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the primary cause of the Lisbon Massacre?

The massacre stemmed from a volatile mix of religious intolerance, suspicion towards "New Christians" (Jews forcibly converted to Catholicism), and economic anxieties, all ignited by a perceived miracle and subsequent accusation of heresy on Easter Sunday.

Who were the main victims of the violence?

The primary victims were individuals accused of being "New Christians" who secretly practiced Judaism, thus branded as heretics and guilty of deicide. While records are imperfect, estimates suggest hundreds, possibly thousands, perished.

Who perpetrated the massacre?

The violence was carried out by a frenzied mob comprising local "Old Christians" and various foreign sailors whose ships were docked in the Tagus River. They were often incited by religious figures, particularly two Dominican friars.

What role did King Manuel I play during and after the massacre?

King Manuel I was absent from Lisbon when the massacre began. Upon learning of the events, he condemned the violence, ordered investigations, and punished key instigators, including the execution of the inciting friars. However, his earlier policy of forced conversions had created the social tensions that led to the event.

How did the Lisbon Massacre relate to the Portuguese Inquisition?

The massacre occurred thirty years before the formal establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536. It served as a stark and brutal illustration of the perceived problem of "Judaizing" among "New Christians," strengthening arguments for a formal institution to monitor and enforce religious orthodoxy, effectively paving the way for the Inquisition's creation.

What do "deicide" and "heresy" mean in the context of the massacre?

Deicide, in this context, was the accusation that Jews were collectively responsible for the killing of Jesus Christ, a deeply ingrained and inflammatory charge. Heresy referred to the belief that "New Christians" were secretly adhering to Jewish practices while outwardly professing Catholicism, which was considered a grave offense against the Church and a betrayal of their new faith.

What is a "New Christian" (Cristão Novo)?

"New Christians" were Jews in Portugal (and Spain) who were forcibly converted to Catholicism, primarily in 1497 in Portugal, under decrees issued by the monarchy. Despite their conversion, they often faced suspicion, discrimination, and accusations of secretly maintaining their original faith by "Old Christians."