The Journal of Ecclesiastical History



Isabel of Aragon (d. 1336): Model Queen or Model Saint?


IONA McCLEERY a1
a1 Department of Philosophy, University of Durham, 51 Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HN; e-mail: i.m.mccleery@durham.ac.uk

Article author query
mccleery i   [Google Scholar] 
 

Abstract

Very little work has been done on Iberian queens and even less on Iberian saints. This study of Isabel of Aragon (c. 1270–1336), wife of King Dinis of Portugal (1279–1325), who was venerated as a saint from shortly after her death, aims to explore the relationship between Isabel's queenship and her sainthood. It engages with recent research, and critiques obvious comparisons between Isabel and her great-aunt St Elizabeth of Thuringia. Isabel may also be compared with numerous other medieval European queens and her main vita displays striking similarities to royal courtesy literature found elsewhere.

(Published Online August 25 2006)