The Marranos counted at that epoch the Home Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, a Proto-notary, and a Vice-Chancellor of the realm among their members; and they were allied by marriage with the purest aristocracy.

It is not, therefore, marvelous that a conspiracy was formed to assassinate the Chief Inquisitor, Peter Arbues.

In spite of a coat-of-mail and an iron skullcap worn beneath his monk's dress, Arbues was murdered one evening while at prayer in church.

But the revolt, notwithstanding this murder, flashed, like an ill-loaded pistol, in the pan.

Jealousies between the old and new Christians prevented any common action; and the Inquisition took a bloody vengeance upon all concerned.