Leonor de Carvajal

Leonor de Carvajal was the seventh of nine children born to Francisco Rodríguez de Matos and Francisca de Carvajal. The family left Spain around 1579, settling in New Spain (Mexico). However, in 1589 and 1590, most members of the family were arrested and convicted of Judaizing by the Inquisition. They repented, renouncing Judaism and declaring their devotion to the Catholic Church, and were punished. Five years later they were again arrested for Judaizing. Despite initial resistance, after being subjected to torture, Leonor confessed, implicating her family and acquaintances. Her confession includes depictions of various crypto-Jewish rites and customs, as well as the texts of poems and songs (some partial) recited and sung on these occasions, among them a poem about the Ten Commandments, Sabbath songs, and more. It offers fascinating insights into the practice of crypto-Jews and the important role that women played in passing on traditions within this community. Like her brother, Luis Carvajal, who refused to repent or renounce his Judaism, Leonor was burned at the stake in 1596.