St Valentine's Day History and Customs

St Valentine's Day History and Customs for 14th of February

• The Legend of St Valentine
• St Valentine
• Valentine Day Crafts and Customs

1) The Legend of St Valentine

St Valentine's day history goes back to Roman times.  The emperor Claudius II was a student of human nature and way back in AD 287 he calculated that single men made braver soldiers than married men.  Therefore, as Claudius had absolute power, he dictated than no soldier should marry.  A Roman called Valentinus thought that this was rough justice and secretly married soldiers who had a sweetheart. 

When Claudius discovered that Valentinus had defied his decree he threw Valentinus into jail.  Whilst incarcerated, Valentinus fell in love with the gaoler's daughter and sent her the first ever card - from your sweet Valentine. 

2) St Valentine

Much later, in AD 496 Pope Gelasius, chose 14 February as the day to honour and remember Saint Valentine.  Unfortunately, tantalisingly little is known about these early origins of St Valentine.

In the history of St Valentine's day, it is the 17th century which was the most important and truly romantic era.  The 14th of February became important as a day to exchange love notes by sending poems and gifts. Sometimes dances and small festivals were held.

In modern times, 1416, Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent one of the earliest Valentines, from his imprisonment in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt.  He sent several Valentine poems to his wife in France.

3) Valentine Day Crafts and Customs

In Guy's home country of Wales wooden love spoons are made and given as presents on 14 February. Hearts, keys and keyholes feature as decorations on these carved spoons as and invitation to 'unlock my heart'.

Valentines day history in Medieval times saw the youth of the time wearing names drawn from a hat on their sleeves. Hence the modern expression 'to wear your heart on your sleeve' . This means that other people can easily see what you are feeling.

If a young lady sees a sparrow on February 14th flying overhead it means that she will marry a poor man and be extremely happy. If she saw a robin she would marry a mariner. A goldfinch seen by a woman meant that she would marry into riches.

St Valentine's commercialisation probably began with the making and selling of cards in the 18th century.  Women in the 18th century would write men's names on paper, roll them in clay and place them in a bowl of water. The first paper to rise to the surface would contain the name of a woman's true love.

4) Wise Words

Never have children, only grandchildren.
Gore Vidal

P.S. If you have an example of St Valentine's Day history, then please send it to us.

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