Court Records Century-16

On January 30, 1540, in Mexico City, when the Spanish established the kingdom in the New World, a remarkable trial took place. 

A Catholic priest named Pedro Ruiz Calderon faces charges for practicing black magic. The priest claimed to have a magical power, according to a note that is trying to be published by the researchers. 

The priest claimed the continent can move in an instant, made ​​himself invisible, make a woman fall in love with him, predict the future, turn iron into gold, summon and cast out demons, and more importantly, finding buried treasure.

“The priest represents virtually all types of magic, ranging from summoning demons to cast out demons and makes them invisible,” said John Chuchiak IV, a professor at Missouri State University who translated and published documents to court records in his book entitled “The Inquisition in New Spain 1536-1820 “(John Hopkins University Press, 2012). 

“He can hypnotize people, it was one of the earliest, according to my understanding of hypnotic, fascinating people.” 

At the beginning of trial, Calderon denounced by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Secretary of the Holy Office which later became conquistadors (conquerors) in the Philippines. In translation, court records said “a lot of people make it known before [Legazpi] said Calderon had black magic he learned from others.” 

Notes continues to claim that Calderon he can make himself invisible and go long distances in a short time. “It is so amazing and the story continues,” said Chuchiak. 

The prosecutor, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, archbishop of Mexico and investigators Francisca papacy from New Spain, is known for extreme punishment. “There is someone who cut her tongue for blasphemy light,” said Chuchiak. 

In the end, for reasons unknown, the bishop just gave Calderon a light sentence – exiled to Spain and banned Catholic worship led for two years. Zumarraga seem to want to get rid of Calderon should be put to death without a priest in public. What happens to the Calderon after being exiled unknown. 

A trip to hell 
According to court records, Calderon admitted that he went to hell to get some of their abilities. At one time, the note said that Calderon is in Naples, working for a young king. 

“Calderon and the three men went to explore the caves. According to the 3000 league Caldero hell lies (about 144 km) below the surface of the ground, “said Chuchiak, summarizing notes Spanish. It seems like people are trapped underground, with most of the state died. 

“He came down to the bottom of hell, he said, and there he learned black magic and chemistry.” 

Calderon did not return empty handed. “She brought books from hell, he said there is one signature of the Prince of Darkness.” 

When Calderon was arrested, his library was confiscated. None of which are signs of the devil: but there are some interesting books are found, including Albertus Magnus’s book titled “Secrets,” hints cast out demons, and the books of Dr. Arnaldo de Villanueva titled “Treasure of Treasures,” which shows you how to find the hidden treasure. 

The library also keeps “records a letter written in a mysterious language, which can be read according to Calderon,” said Chuchiak. “No one else can read it.” 

Why did he do it? 

The reason why a priest like Calderon strayed off course possible because of two things – want to boast and financial gain. 

Chuchiak found that Calderon likes boasted. Once the trial is completed, he suffered pneumonia and should be re-treated at the clinic and when to be there “he boasted his ability to become invisible and create almost any woman fall in love with him,” he said as he once again Chuchiak Spanish for record sums. 

In another example of “Calderon told me about all the women he slept with. He talked about how he was able to have a mistress and be in and out of their bedroom with a liberal. ” 

There is also evidence that Calderon benefit from these capabilities. Records indicate with or without power, Calderon often find buried treasure. 

According to court records, translated, Gil Gonzalez de Benavides, a conquistador, claiming that “he saw Calderon revealed the existence of several baskets containing gold ornaments that local hidden from the Spaniards.” 

“Looks like he’s lucky to find the treasure, which makes it even more popular,” said Chuchiak. “People come up to him to find the missing items, missing persons, lost treasure.” 

Calderon superpowers of course false, says Chuchiak. If he could not look and move continents, Calderon could certainly easily avoid trial. 

“Investigators are always challenging them to practice their knowledge. But they never did, they could not do it, “said Chuchiak. In the end, Calderon is only one man who claimed to have the ability and the eventual trial. ” 

“Of course Calderon just bragging,” said Chuchiak concluded.