Friday, July 30, 2010 FEBRUARY 14 "FROM YOUR VALENTINE” The true origin of Valentine’s Day may always be in question, but most historians seem to agree on the basic elements. St. Valentine, as he has become known, was a Catholic priest in Rome during the times of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius, who was known in his times as "Claudius the Cruel" had decreed that men were no longer allowed to marry. It was Claudius's belief that single, men without families were the best soldiers. Valentine found this law absurd and went against the law, marrying couples in secret. This was soon discovered by Claudius II and Valentine was taken to prison and ordered beheaded. It is said that in his final days in prison, Valentine wrote a letter to his jail keepers daughter who had been visiting him during his imprisonment. He signed the letter, "From your Valentine". This is what is now thought of as the first Valentine card. St. Valentine is said to have died on February 14th and this is why we celebrate the holiday on this day. Others say it was in conjunction of the belief in Roman times that birds picked their mates on February 14th. Many traditions have evolved around St. Valentine’s Day. In England a lady was to pin bay leaves to her pillow on the Eve of St. Valentine's Day. If she did this she was believed to see her future mate in her dreams that night. If a woman sees a Robyn flying over head on Valentines Day she will marry a sailor. If she sees a sparrow, she will marry a poor man, but be happy. If she sees a GoldFinch, she will marry a millionaire. The 1st name you hear or read on Valentine's Day will be the name of your future mate. In Great Britain, a woman would write down the names of her sweethearts' on pieces of paper and attach them to clay balls. She would then drop the balls into water and the first name that surfaced would be her destined future husband. From the Middle Ages, women would write their names on pieces of paper and they would be put into a jar. If their name was drawn by an eligible man he would take her paper and pin it on his sleeve for the week and he would be her Valentine. This is where it is believed the phrase; "Wearing one's heart on his sleeve" comes from. Whether we chose to believe Urban Legends developed around Valentines Day or not, most of us are true romantics at heart. We may not be pinning bay leaves on our pillows, but we all hope to one day find our one true love. For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca Other “Archival Moments” will be posted at this site on a regular weekly basis. If you have friends or colleagues who would like to receive these "archival moments" please send us their e mail address or forward this moment to them from your desk!! Larry Dohey Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s P.O. Box 1363 St. John’s, NL A1C 5M3 709-726-3660 E-mail: archives@nf.aibn.com We hope that you have enjoyed this archival moment.