Case file · Witch trials
The 'Holy Child of La Guardia' trial
In 1491 the Inquisition at Ávila burned several conversos and Jews accused of crucifying a child at La Guardia (Toledo) and using his heart and a host for sorcery; no child was ever identified.
1491 CE · 39.79, -3.48 · status: hoax
The account
The confessions were obtained under torture and contradict each other. The case was used to stir hostility months before the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, and a local cult of the 'Holy Child' followed.