Valentine was a third century Roman priest who got caught marrying Christian couples. Assisting Christians was a crime at the time, so they arrested and imprisoned him. The Emperor Claudius took a liking to his prisoner, until Valentine tried to convert him to Christianity. Claudius subsequently condemned the priest to death. A beating with clubs and stones failed to kill him, so they beheaded him. He was later martyred for his troubles. Poor old St Valentine!
It wasn’t until the fourteenth century that Valentine’s Day as we know it was born. The famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the poem ‘The Parliament of Foules’. This included the popular notion that birds paired off to mate on 14 February each year. Also referred to in this poem were some Valentine’s Day traditions such as sending anonymous love letters. Exchanging token gifts with your lover was also mentioned – my vote is for jewellery of course!
As well as love, young people and happy marriages, Valentine is also known as the patron saint of beekeeping and epilepsy.
I like to think that Valentine’s Day is now a celebration of not just romantic love, but love of any kind – including loving yourself. Love makes the world go round, so Happy Valentine’s Day!
