In the early months of the year, Lisbon witnessed a gruesome outbreak of violence against its Jewish population. This horrific episode was incited by superstitions surrounding a supposed miracle occurring in a local church, which many Christians erroneously believed was connected to the presence of Jews. Mobs, fueled by fear and religious zeal, immediately targeted the Jewish community, leading to brutal acts of murder and aggression. The violence escalated over several weeks, resulting in the tragic deaths of many Jews, along with the destruction of their properties and places of worship.

As the violence unfolded, the local authorities struggled to contain the chaos. Some officials, fearful for their own positions, either stood by or actively participated in the violence, complicating efforts to restore order. Families sought refuge in various locations, but the unrestrained zeal of the mobs often led to brutal retaliation, and many were indiscriminately caught in the crossfire. A significant number of the Jewish populace were either executed or fled to escape the relentless assaults.

This massacre created a ripple effect throughout the Jewish communities across Europe, increasing the sense of insecurity among Jews in various regions. The attacks sparked discussions about the place of Jews in Portuguese society and brought about a period of intense persecution that would see the eventual expulsion of Jews from Portugal decades later. The effects of the massacre and subsequent Jewish persecution contributed to the shifting dynamics of Jewish populations throughout Europe, as many sought refuge in more hospitable lands.