The public execution of the condemned by the Tribunal of the Inquisition, called the “act of faith” or auto-da-fé, was considered by the populace to be the same as “pageants” or “shows”. This is one of the few times that Natoli — evidently due to the necessity of carrying out the plot of the novel — indulges in historical inaccuracy, In fact, no public execution of the auto-da-fé took place in 1714. However, there is scrupulous adherence to reality in the description of the ceremony.

The stern ceremony included a series of processions that lasted for several days; the first was to “consecrate” the specially prepared stage, present the “offenders” to the people and create a sort of pseudo-trial with sentencing to a public punishment; others followed until the execution, as described by Natoli; the majority of the aristocracy took part in the procession, as did the judges of Sant’Offizio, the Compagnia dell’Assunta, and the Congregazione della Pescagione. AC, 349.