The Prison History of Valentine’s Day

We tend to celebrate Valentine's Day with romantic greeting cards and candy. But the history of this day—and the source of some of our traditions—is a lot more somber. In fact, Valentine's Day has connections to prison.

ST. VALENTINE, ROMAN PRISONER

We don't know much about St. Valentine. However, various legends associated with him reveal a person who had a lot of experience with the third century Roman Empire's criminal justice system.

According to one legend, St. Valentine was persecuted for his faith and placed under arrest. A judge—or in some versions, his jailor—decided to test the saint's faith by commanding Valentine to heal his blind daughter. St. Valentine did so, and when the judge saw that his daughter was no longer blind, he immediately converted to Christianity. He also reportedly freed the other Christian prisoners in his jurisdiction.

Other legends state that Valentine continued to evangelize even after his incarceration. He reportedly officiated marriage ceremonies for Christian couples. He also assisted Christians who fled Roman persecution.

All the stories agree: St. Valentine was unwavering his faith and devotion to Jesus Christ. He was executed on February 14 sometime around the year 270 A.D.

It is said that the day he died, he left behind a note for a friend signed, "Your Valentine."

A PRISON VALENTINE POEM

Originally a feast day for St. Valentine, February 14 soon became associated with romantic love some time in the Middle Ages. The first mention of February 14 as the holiday we know today was in a poem by English Poet Geoffrey Chaucer. It was during this era that the world's oldest surviving Valentine poem was composed.

In 1415, Charles, Duke of Orleans, a nephew of Charles VI of France and a member of French royalty, was wounded in the Battle of Agincourt. He was captured by the English and imprisoned for 24 years.

During his incarceration, Charles wrote poetry. One of these poems was "A Farewell to Love," a valentine to his wife that was penned during his time in the Tower of London:

I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine,
Since for me you were born too late,
And I for you was born too soon.
God forgives him who has estranged
Me from you for the whole year.
I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine.

Well might I have suspected
That such a destiny,
Thus would have happened this day,
How much that Love would have commanded.
I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine.