We all know that Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romance and love. However, the origins of this day are not quite so loving! It is widely believed that the name comes from a Roman priest in the third century AD. Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage as he believed single men without a wife or family were better soldiers.

The Catholic Church may have established Valentine’s Day to honour these two martyrs.

St. Valentine of Rome (Priest): Legend says he defied Emperor Claudius II by secretly marrying young lovers, as the emperor banned marriage for soldiers. When caught, he was imprisoned and executed, supposedly writing a farewell note to his jailer’s daughter, signing it “From your Valentine “.

Source: Country Living Thorntons