“They’re Roses, Sir”: the Holy Queen and the Miracle of the Roses

A medieval miracle and the holy life of Isabel of Portugal

17th century portrayal of the “Miracle of the Roses”; O Milagre das Rosas, André Gonçalves, c. 1735–40, Igreja do Menino Deus. Source: Wikimedia

There are certain events in history that continue to confound us to this day. Sometimes they seem too outlandish to actually be true, but then, when history and faith collide, things are even less clear. This story could start with “once upon a time in the Kingdom of Portugal” since there are no records of the year this “Miracle of the Roses” (Milagre das Rosas) actually took place. We know it was during the reign of King Dinis I of Portugal and we know it was something that happened between him and his wife, D. Isabel, known as the Rainha Santa (the “Holy/Saint Queen”). Further than that, even the chroniclers don’t seem to have a clue of when this happened.

Still, let’s start this story from the very beginning!

King Dinis I of Portugal

King Dinis I of Portugal (known in English as King Denis) was born in Lisbon on the 9th of October 1261, the son of King Afonso III and his wife Queen Beatriz. He reigned the Kingdom of Portugal from 1279 to 1325, dying at the age of 66. This king is recognized for his agricultural and economic reorganization of the country and for his essential role in developing the “cantigas de amigo” (literally “friend…