Codex A (1542-48), a notarial cartulary which is archived in the Church of San Nicola Bari in Termini Imerese, is a manuscript unique in Sicilian history, for it documents the fact that the record-keeping of persons receiving the Sacrament of Baptism was initiated in Termini Imerese 24 years before the dogmas on Baptism discussed by the Council of Trent, were promulgated throughout the lands of the Kingdom of Spain (which included the Kingdom of Sicily) by King Philipp II in 1566. So important was Baptism to the Catholic Religion, that it had been revered as a Sacrament for centuries, whereas, the rite of Marriage was a private matter and was not recognized as a Sacrament until 1563 by way of the Tametsi Decree .
Although the 14 canons on Baptism approved by the Council of Trent did not include an order to initiate record-keeping, the very fact that specific heretical errors regarding Baptism had been spelled out in detail by such an august group of clerics, surely must have alerted bishops throughout the Catholic Lands of Reformation-divided Europe to take measures to assure the Papacy that everyone in their dioceses had been baptized.
It is significant to note that Codex A contains the first records of Jews, Muslims, and Gypsies being baptized in Termini Immerse after the Declaration of Expulsion issued by Ferdinand of Aragon in 1492. By this order, Ferdinand, who was also King of Sicily, sought to cast out from his island kingdom all non-Catholics. After 1492, any non-Catholic who wished to remain in Sicily had to be baptized or leave the island kingdom. This action was primarily directed at the Jewish population which was considerable (Jews also had to hand over 45% of their holdings to the Crown); but as the record in Codex A so clearly demonstrates, slaves (a category which includes Muslims among other religions) brought into Termini in the 1540’s were also being taken to the baptistery at San Nicola Bari to receive the Sacrament, along with Gypsies. So at least three groups of ‘outsiders’ were involved. To assure that those who converted to Catholicism did not slide back into their former religion, the Spanish Inquisition (1478–1834) was introduced into Sicily to deal with offenders. The worst case scenario to be faced by backsliders was condemnation at an Auto-de-Fe` in Palermo, which then might lead to incineration at the stake.
Of great importance for maintaining Ferdinand’s policies during the years 1542-48 when Codex A was assembled, was the ascendancy to the throne of Spain and Sicily by Ferdinand of Aragon’s successor, Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. Because of his extensive land holdings, Charles became the single most powerful man in the entirety of Europe and the Americas during a reign which lasted from 1519-1556. As history has recorded, Charles could not arrest the threat to his huge Catholic empire brought about by the Reformation in his German-speaking lands. But in Sicily, the Lutherans were no match for the Spanish Inquisition which had Charles’ full support. Only once did he waiver in his commitment to the Holy Office, and that was when he was in need of monetary support from the Sicilian Parliament which abhorred the interference of the Inquisition in Sicilian affairs.
The entries into Codex A were certainly useful for yet another purpose, namely, taxation. But as history has shown, the rich and powerful barons of Sicily were forever finding ways to avoid paying their share, and it was upon the average families of Termini Imerese that the burden of these payments fell.
During the period 1542-1548 when Codex A was being compiled, Sicily was ruled as follows, the dates indicating the first year in office:
Viceroy of Sicily
1535 – Ferdinando Gonzaga
Presidents of the Sicilian Parliament
1542 – Alfonso Cardona Conte di Chiusa e di Giuliana
1544 – Giovanni Aragona Tagliavia Marchese di Terranova
1546 – Giovanni de Vega
1547 – Ambrogio Santapau Marchese di Licodia
As Termini Imerese was one of 42 città demaniali, cities administered directly by the crown rather than local nobility, it was upon the 