April 1492
Don Fernando de San Miguel
Don Fernando recalled the sadness in his father Francisco’s eyes as he described the last sorrowful event in Don Pablo’s life, learning the final fate of his Uncle Pablo and Juan Pacheco—
burned at the stake for Fray Vincente’s death! His father never really explained why the two had been found guilty of the crime. He only emphasized the punishment they received, almost as if trying to warn him of the dangers of their secret lives.
Yes, considered Don Fernando, the dangers are real, the punishment severe. Much sadness has this clandestine life brought us.
That was why he had tried so hard to reach an accommodation with Monsignor Abate. Their lives, their happiness depended on it! Now he had to convince his family…
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JOSEPH HOBESH
He was aroused from his reverie by the sound of his wife’s shrill voice calling, “Fernando, Fernando, where are you?” as she burst into his study with skirts swishing and eyes flashing.
Dona Isabel de San Miguel was once again upset, disappointed, or disturbed with someone or something. The object of her dissatisfaction today was their daughter Elena, who had left her duenna, for what reason, Lord only knew.
“Do you know what your daughter has done?”
“Calm yourself, mi amour, my love, there are more important problems facing us right now. More important than whatever minor transgressions Elena may have committed.”
“But do you know the embarrassment she has caused me? I—”
“Isabel, I cannot discuss Elena with you now. You are aware of the edict that has been issued by the King and Queen. This edict places all of us at risk. It can completely annul what Monsignor Abate, the others, and I have tried to accomplish.
Everyone that I convinced to accept Monsignor Abate’s scheme is now in grave danger. Our only hope is to convince him that we will completely end our secret practices and fully embrace the Catholic faith. Something his plan would have allowed us to do without fear of punishment. To admit our past secret practice of Judaism now would mean expulsion or worse, maybe facing the Inquisition.”
Dona Isabel, visibly shaken by her husband’s words, looked around, and spoke in a quiet whisper. “But, Fernando, we have not visited a ‘courtyard’ in many years. We stopped our practice of lighting the Sabbath candles years ago. We have not performed any religious rites except Catholic ones. Our church attendance has been most regular. Certainly Señor Abate is aware of these facts.”
Trying not to lose patience with his wife, Don Fernando took a deep breath and began to explain how their lives, their very fate was now in the hands of Monsignor Abate. Don Fernando had managed to work out an agreement with the monsignor. An agreement that would have allowed the San Miguel family, 66
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along with fifteen other “New Christian” families to secure amnesty from the Inquisition for their secret offenses.
But before Monsignor Abate would finalize the plan, he required signed confessions from all. These confessions he explained were needed, along with promises to faithfully practice the Christian religion, to show the Church hierarchy the sincerity of their beliefs. The secret practice of Judaism was a serious offense.
Nevertheless Monsignor Abate felt certain he could convince the Inquisitor General, the true desire of these once secret Jews, was now to fully embrace the Christian faith. The confessions, he promised, would not be presented unless it was absolutely necessary.
A meeting with the Inquisitor General had been scheduled for next month to discuss the confessions. However, the edict complicated the situation, if Monsignor Abate revealed the confessions now they were doomed. Since all had been properly baptized, seeking absolution for past transgressions would have been a simple matter with Monsignor Abate’s help. But because of the edict, confessing to the secret practice of Judaism while professing to be Catholic negated any second chance of conversion. At best they would be forced to leave, or worse, face the Inquisition and a certain auto-da-fe. Their only hope lay in convincing Monsignor Abate not to reveal the confessions, and allow them to live their lives as true Christians.
“Now do you see the danger we face, Isabel, if I cannot convince the monsignor to destroy the confessions we…” Don Fernando, hearing the voices of his children as they returned home, ended the explanation to his wife.
“Isabel, the children are home, see that the evening meal is properly prepared, we have much to talk about, many plans to make. Plans which must include all of us.”
Dona Isabel, with cheeks flushed and hands trembling, regarded her husband with awe. She loved and respected him.
Of this there could be no doubt, she would do all that he asked.
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Still, despite the seriousness of the situation, Isabel believed Elena’s breech of etiquette, leaving her duenna, had to be addressed, and explained.
Greeting Elena and Antonio, as she left for the kitchen, Dona Isabel made sure to inform Elena that an explanation for leaving her duenna was to be…“Fully discussed with your father.”
Elena quickly began speaking while Don Fernando raised his hand silencing her.
“Not now, prepare yourself for the evening meal, we have many things to talk about. Including your reasons for your actions.” Then gently kissing his daughter on the cheek, he sent her on her way. Turning to his son, Don Fernando asked if he had any further news regarding the edict.
Antonio de San Miguel, tall, handsome and at twenty-one, was full of the self-assurance of youth. The first male of the San Miguel family to disavow the occupation of physician, and the first male to have refused the bar mitzvah ceremony. At the time of his thirteenth birthday he disowned all things Jewish; vowed he was a Christian and would live as one. When asked by his father the reasons for these conclusions, he answered he did not want to live a secret life. A life that did not allow him to express his true feelings. A life that was charged with danger. His feelings had changed very little in the ensuing years.
The shock of his son’s decision weakened Don Fernando’s faith to such an extent—for it was just one more sign of the futility of their secret practices—that all of the family soon began to forego their Judaism. A few years later Don Fernando began his work with Monsignor Abate.
Antonio was content with his life. As an aide to the Minister of Finance, he was able to work the hours of his choosing. This gave him ample time for drinking, womanizing and gambling.
Although outwardly a bon-vivant, he had strong feelings for his family and the thought of harm coming to any of them filled him with a great rage.
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Antonio had dreams of traveling to Asia and the Far East, to actually see some of the wonders he had read about. Exotic animals, fabled cities, but the dream had to wait for a substantial improvement to his finances.
Although he had to admit feeling a twinge of envy when Elena told him about Joshua. Joshua who was converting and sailing with that fool Colon. Attempting to find a route to the east by sailing the great ocean. Joshua must truly love Elena, to put his life in such great danger.
However, considering what Joshua would have to endure, he thought, for himself, it was best to wait for enough money to purchase passage on one of the caravans that regularly left from Morocco. Just across the Straits of Gibraltar, and a very short ocean journey. It was his belief that the mysterious sea would make Colon’s journey one of misery and death.
Dismayed, as he thought of his sister, what she had explained, her plan for preventing Joshua from going with Colon. Their father would never agree to what she was proposing.
Now the Expulsion Edict complicated everything. Not knowing all the details of his father’s plans with Monsignor Abate, he had a general idea of what they entailed. He had kept his church attendance to a minimum, and had not thought about his Jewish roots for a number of years, losing interest in any kind of religion, be it Christian, Jewish or Muslim. He was of the opinion that the Expulsion Edict would not adversely affect him or his family.
“No, I have no news concerning the edict, other than what was announced,” he answered his father. “The edict should be no problem for us. We are not Jews, I’m sure Monsignor Abate would agree.”
Noting his father’s look of apprehension, Antonio felt a wave of anxiety sweep over him.
“Or am I wrong, Father, must we take certain precautions to protect ourselves?”
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“There are certain problems, Antonio, that must be dealt with, we will discuss them fully this evening. Prepare yourself for the evening meal we will talk again later.”
* * *
Knowing the family discussion would probably run into the late evening hours, Dona Isabel decided to prepare a family favorite as the main course of the evening meal, making sure the cook had all the necessary ingredients to prepare the meal. She instructed the maids to ready the table, and left to ready herself for whatever the evening was to bring.As church bells chimed the hour of vespers, and a breeze began to cool the evening. The San Miguel family took their places at the large dining table. When all were seated, Don Fernando recited grace and the meal commenced.
Starting with an ensalada de atún y anchoa, a tuna and anchovy salad complimented by a variety of baked breads. This was followed by the family favorite, pollo con berenjena, braised chicken with eggplant, served with anjinara con aves, braised artichokes and fava beans. Accompanying each course was a large quantity of Rioja wines, finishing with a compost of fresh oranges and dessert Muscat.
Enjoying the food thoroughly, they spoke very little during the meal. Each knowing, for different reasons, the evening’s discussions would be long and tiring.
As he poured more dessert Muscat into his and Antonio’s glass, Don Fernando affirmed his decision. Declaring that from this day forward they would all follow the Christian religion faithfully, there would be no turning back to any of the deception of the past. The Jewish portion of their lives was to be forgotten and never spoken of or discussed again. He explained the danger that existed until he could convince Monsignor Abate of their true intentions.
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Antonio began to perceive a clearer understanding of what his father was trying to accomplish. He felt convincing Monsignor Abate would not be a problem. They had not visited a “courtyard” in years. Their practice of Judaism was practically nonexistent.
Explaining his thoughts to his father, Antonio suggested a payment or donation to the church, made in Monsignor Abate’s name, would certainly provide incentive for him not to reveal the confessions.
Agreeing with his son that this was a good idea, Don Fernando questioned whether an outright payment might seem like they were bribing him to keep their secret.
A different approach was needed. Discussing various ways of accomplishing their aims, Don Fernando and Antonio spoke at length without coming to a solution.
Dona Isabel and Elena sat silently, not wanting to interrupt the men. When Elena, unable to contain herself, suddenly blurted out that their parish church, the Church of San Pedro, was in disgraceful condition. It had not been renovated for years. Why not offer to refurbish the church. Enlarge it if necessary, in Monsignor Abate’s name.
Both men looked at each other and smiled, Elena had hit on the perfect solution. That would indicate to the monsignor their intentions, without seeming to be offering a bribe. It also allowed all of the other families who had agreed to the original plan a chance to show the monsignor their appreciation. An offer to enlarge the church would be feasible since a larger amount of money would be raised, if all contributed.
Patting his daughter on the cheek, Don Fernando exclaimed,
“Blessed is the father, who has a daughter that can think like a man.”
Elena, blushing, kept her response to herself. Thinking like a man would not have provided the solution.
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Satisfied he had an answer to their dilemma, Don Fernando announced he was ready for bed. He began to rise from the table when Dona Isabel stopped him, saying, “There is another matter that must be considered. Elena, you slipped away from your duenna this afternoon. “Why?” she began. “Is there something you are keeping from us? Explain yourself.”
Don Fernando slowly began to sit back down.
“Yes, daughter, tell us why you left your duenna.”
Elena began to stammer her explanation, glancing at Antonio, imploring him with her eyes to come to her aid.
Antonio, confused on how to begin explaining what Elena had outlined to him on their walk home, began by saying,
“Mother, Father, I think can explain why Elena did what she did. First I must explain what Joshua Ben-Halavi is planning to do.”
“No! No! I do not want to hear about Joshua Ben-Halavi,”
Don Fernando interrupted.
“Please, Father,” Elena cried out, “let him explain, I’m sure once you understand how important this is to me, you will agree with what I want to do!”
Don Fernando looked at his daughter, at her blue eyes welling up with tears, her dark curly hair spilling over her face.
Not able to deny her, he relented. He would listen to Antonio’s explanation. Although fearful of what he sensed he was going to be told.
Dona Isabel began to speak, but was silenced as Don Fernando motioned for Antonio to continue.
“Joshua is going to convert to the Christian faith and sail with Cristobal Colon.” Antonio continued, “Halavi is doing this in the hope that he will secure some riches. Once that has been achieved, it is his, and Elena’s hope, that you will give your blessing to their marriage. The marriage would take place when Joshua returns from his journey with Colon. Elena fears if he leaves with Colon, she will never see him again. And, and—”
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Elena, in a voice filled with emotion, interrupted Antonio as he fumbled for the proper words and began to pore out her innermost feelings. “Father, the only way to keep Joshua from leaving is to allow us to marry. I love him, and his leaving will cause me untold pain. I may never see him again! If you promise to let us to marry one year after he has converted, I know he will not go with Colon. One year should be enough time for you to see if he has taken his vows seriously. And if you decide he has not. I will not marry him. Father, do this for me, do not let him leave!”
Dona Isabel, hearing Elena’s reasons for leaving her duenna, shouted, “Chasing a man like a common puta,” and moved to strike her daughter, but she was restrained by Antonio, who gently admonished her.
“No, Momma. Papa must decide if she is to be punished or not.”
Don Fernando, feeling the weight of another difficult problem—Monsignor Abate, the edict, now this—wondered how much more he was expected to cope with. Sighing wearily, Don Fernando admonished his daughter. “I thought I had made myself clear on this matter a long time ago, Elena. You will only marry someone whose limpieza de sangre— purity of blood, is unquestioned. Joshua Ben-Halavi, whether he converts or not, will never be one of pure blood. Furthermore you will have made it more difficult for us to convince Monsignor Abate of our true beliefs by shamefully chasing this man. I forbid you to see him again. Promise me you will do as I ask, it of the utmost importance. No one must be able to question our limpieza de sangre. Have I made myself clear, Elena?”
Fighting back her tears of disappointment, Elena quietly answered, “Yes, Father, quite clear.” She turned and hurried to her room.
Dona Isabel and Antonio began to speak. But one look from Don Fernando immediately silenced them both.
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“There will be no more discussion of this matter. Our most important task is to have Monsignor Abate understand our position.”
With those words Don Fernando turned and left the room.
His wife and son looked at each other and said nothing, just followed Don Fernando’s example, and retired for the night.
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