Crypto-Jews is a term that refers to Jews having converted to Christianity to maintain outward appearances while secretly living as Jews. Crypto-Judaism is generally understood as relating initially to the circumstances of Jews in the medieval Christian Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon and later in Portugal. Jews were pressured to  convert to Christianity, as an act of self-preservation.  This trend accelerated with increasing persecution and outrages, including massacres, particularly from the 1390s. Tens of thousands of Jews were baptised, frequently in mass baptisms. They became known as Conversos , Cristianos Nuevos (New Christians) – or, derogatively, Marranos (Pigs).
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