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The History And Origin Of Valentine's Day
By Tony Luck
The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in 1415 by Charles
Duke of Orleans, at the time a prisoner in the Tower of London, to his
wife. The Duke's Valentine’s card is now preserved and displayed in the
British Museum.
However, the origins of Valentine’s Day lie in ancient Rome. Over the
years the ever expanding Roman empire became more difficult to police
and there was an increasing shortage of soldiers. Believing that married
men were too attached to their families and unlikely to sign up for
active service, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage, thinking this would
increase the number of quality recruits.
The story goes that a Christian priest by the name of Valentine, seeing
the unhappiness and trauma that resulted, secretly married couples in
defiance of the new law.
It wasn’t long before Emperor Claudius found out about Valentine’s
actions and the priest was imprisoned and eventually executed on
February 14, 270.
Whilst in prison, Valentine was befriended by his jailer, a character
called Asterius. Asterius had a blind daughter and the jailer asked
Valentine to cure her, which he supposedly did. Shortly before his
execution, Valentine asked for writing implements and signed a farewell
message to the jailer’s daughter “From your Valentine”, a phrase that
has lived on, much to the delight of modern day florists, rose growers
and card companies!
Author: Tony Luck runs a personalized gifts site that specializes, among
other things, in personalized ceramics - greeting cards, commemorative
plates and tankards.
http://www.personalised-gifts.net/ Other
Articles on this Site
Top 10 Romantic
Valentine Gifts
50 Ideas to Make Your Romance Better
10 Creative Ways to Give from
the Heart, Not the Pocketbook
Valentine Wedding Theme
Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day if You
Aren't a Couple
Free
Valentine Greeting Cards
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