Limpieza de sangre

Summary

Limpieza de sangre, also known as limpeza de sangue, literally 'cleanliness of blood' and meaning 'blood purity', was a racially discriminatory term used in the Crown of Castile and Portuguese Empire during the early modern period to refer to those who were considered to be Old Christians by virtue of not having Muslim, Jewish, Romani, or Agote ancestors. In both empires, the term played a major role in discrimination against suspected crypto-Jews or crypto-Muslims. Over the years it manifested into law which excluded New Christians from almost every part of society.