Elizabeth of Portugal

About Elizabeth of Portugal

Elizabeth was Queen of Portugal who worked tirelessly for peace. Named after her great-aunt Elizabeth of Hungary, she married King Denis at age 12. Despite her husband's infidelities, she remained faithful and charitable, founding hospitals, orphanages, and monasteries. Elizabeth repeatedly reconciled her husband and son during conflicts and negotiated peace between Portugal and neighboring kingdoms. After Denis's death, she became a Franciscan tertiary. She died while mediating between warring armies in 1336. Canonized 1625.