Religiousness and Medicine in Late Medieval Valencia: The Discovery of the Incorrupt Body of Angelina Bertran (1447)

Abstract

In April 1447, the incorrupt body of a young woman named Angelina Bertran was accidentally found at the cemetery of the parish of St. Lawrence in the city of Valencia. To determine whether the cause was supernatural or not, a committee of physicians was appointed. Despite their confusion and inability to give a reasoned explanation, and although popular opinion quickly spread that it was a case worthy of veneration, facts did not lead to believe that Angelina deserved canonization. However, the event was to be repeatly reported by local historians.