ABSTRACT
Throughout the sixteenth century, Christian authorities were daunted by the moriscos and their inability to embrace Christian beliefs and behaviours. Attempts by the clergy and the Inquisition to regulate behaviour focused more on stamping out morisco practices than ensuring the correct practice of Christian behaviours. In fact, fasting was one of the most commonly documented crimes, to the point that Inquisition records show an almost formulaic inclusion of ‘fasting for Ramadan’ among accusations against moriscos. In 1583, Juan Francisco Verde was accused of a myriad of food-related crimes alongside charges of performing other Muslim ceremonies. Beyond passively setting a good example for moriscos, the Old Christian laity took part in enforcing religious boundaries in other ways. Old Christians often acted as witnesses for the Inquisition and, less frequently, as accomplices to morisco crimes or as defendants in their own right. Ultimately, food behaviours such as fasting practices and slaughter methods were understood to be meaningful and religiously motivated.
