Confession

Beatriz, whose father was Rodrigo de Villanueva, lived in the town of Herrera, as did her cousin, the child prophetess Inés of Herrera. The files regarding her arrest and trial indicate that she was a young, unmarried woman who worked as a servant. However, the surviving documents lack significant information—for example, we do not know what accusation was leveled against her or the judgment in her case. Her confession reveals that she visited Inés in her home. Despite initial resistance and fears of discovery, Inés persuaded Beatriz to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, to observe the Sabbath, and to avoid eating pork. In particular, Beatriz was enticed by the possibility of seeing her mother, who had died while Beatriz was young, and she eagerly awaited the redemption that Inés prophesied. Beatriz was twelve years old when she was arrested by the Inquisition, in 1500.