THE HISTORY OF VALENTINES DAY

The history behind Valentines day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic Priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century.  At the time of Valentine's life, many Romans were converting to Christianity, but the Emperor Claudius II was a pagan and created strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do.  Claudius believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore passed a law preventing them from marrying.  St Valentines began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love. 

Eventually, Valentine was found out and jailed for this.  Whilst in prison, Valentine cared for his fellow prisoners and also his jailor's blind daughter.  Legend had it that Valentine cured the girl's blindness and that his final act before being executed was to write her a love message signed from your Valentine.  Valentine was executed on 14 February in the year 270.  

More than 200 years later 14 February was declared Valentine's Day.   The poet Chaucer in the Middle Ages was the first connection to link Valentine's Day with romantic love and so it began.