Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is named after several early Christian martyrs.  One of them died, or was buried on February 14th according to different accounts.  The occasion became associated with romantic love during the Middle Ages through the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer.  In a poem depicting the courtship of Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, Chaucer used the images of love birds – who mate for life – as well as, Cupid and Venus.  He also choose St. Valentine as the patron for that marriage.  And so he began the tradition of composing poetry on Valentine's Day.
Other traditions followed, gifts of candy, flowers, jewelry and romantic dinners. Enjoy the day! arrrh

“For this was on Seynt Valentynes day,
Whan every fowle cometh theere to chese his make [mate].”

Chaucer, The Parliament of Fowles, 1380

1 comment:

  1. ♥♥♥♥­­♥♥♥♥♥♥
    Happy Valentine's Day!

    ReplyDelete