No, the photo of the artwork is not Saint Valentine but that of Geoffrey Chaucer. Why this portrait for a day of romance and love? It is a part of the evolution of a day that has changed dramatically since Saint Valentine, the religious story, begins. Very little is really known about the man who was a Roman Saint. What? The Romans had Saints? Indeed, and this Saint may have been actually two different Saints. But this post is not about history; it is about the evolution of the day itself. For the historical Saint, see the Wikipedia entry here.
The connection that was made from religion to romantic love began in the high middle ages with Chaucer who died in 1400. It was the age of courtly love and involved the expression of lovers giving each other flowers, confectionery items, and greeting cards. But, as with any day in the year, some history remains a part of the day meant for romantic love.
One such event was the Valentine's Massacre of February 14th,1929. Six gangsters were murdered in Chicago and the shooting involved Al Capone and the South Side Italians, and Bugs Moran and the North Side Irish. So much for the American melting pot theory and political correctness!
So today we have greeting cards that cost $5 or more, candy in the shape of a heart, and jewelery. We all know that kiss begins with Kay! But, I thought it appropriate to go back to a simpler time in the 1920's and 1930's, when the cards were just one simple piece, and said it all. Enjoy the great images from Dover Publications free sample photos of a time gone by...
The connection that was made from religion to romantic love began in the high middle ages with Chaucer who died in 1400. It was the age of courtly love and involved the expression of lovers giving each other flowers, confectionery items, and greeting cards. But, as with any day in the year, some history remains a part of the day meant for romantic love.
One such event was the Valentine's Massacre of February 14th,1929. Six gangsters were murdered in Chicago and the shooting involved Al Capone and the South Side Italians, and Bugs Moran and the North Side Irish. So much for the American melting pot theory and political correctness!
So today we have greeting cards that cost $5 or more, candy in the shape of a heart, and jewelery. We all know that kiss begins with Kay! But, I thought it appropriate to go back to a simpler time in the 1920's and 1930's, when the cards were just one simple piece, and said it all. Enjoy the great images from Dover Publications free sample photos of a time gone by...
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