ABSTRACT
Inquisition trials provide us with a glimpse into the daily lives of early modern Spaniards and their relationship with the Catholic Church, which in the wake of the Protestant Reformation articulated stricter expectations of its adherents and especially its priests. Each priest was also fined four thousand maravedis. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) emphasized the importance of a well-educated and well-behaved clergy. Yet bringing reform to Spain's vast countryside proved to be exceptionally difficult. Two parish priests commit at least three acts that transgressed the Catholic Church's expectations of clergy after the Council of Trent. First, it is likely that these clergy were taking part in a long tradition of poor clergy going from funeral to funeral to partake in the free food and drink. Second, synods had also made it clear in their decrees that clergy were not to carry arms for any reason or engage in gambling.
