The History of Valentine's Day: From Saints to Sweethearts
Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated occasions around the world, but have you ever wondered how it all began? Let’s take a trip through time to uncover the origins of this romantic day and how it evolved into the celebration of love we know today.
Plus, since this is EatDrinkMeet, we’ll also be helping you out to find the very best pubs and restaurants near you for that romantic Valentine meal, and will pepper this blog with some of our favourite little spots from around the country – and yes, the links between the subject of each part of this blog and the pubs and restaurants in question will be, to manage expectations, tenuous at best – but that being said, let’s get our history on.
Ancient Beginnings
The roots of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to ancient Rome. The festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February, was a pagan festival that honoured fertility and purification. During the festivities, rituals were performed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity, often involving matchmaking ceremonies that paired couples together.
And since we’ve started this historic journey in Rome, it’s only fair that we spotlight the unique Birmingham-based Bacchus Bar, which boasts Greek and Roman mosaics on the walls, along with Egyptian themed wall paintings. It’s also underground, so if you’re looking for what feels like a secretive rendezvous, then you can’t do better than Bacchus.
he Saint Behind the Day
The name “Valentine” is believed to come from a Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of Rome. According to legend, Valentine was a priest who secretly performed marriages for soldiers forbidden to marry under Emperor Claudius II. He was imprisoned and ultimately executed on February 14th, around 269 AD. Before his death, it is said he wrote a letter to the jailer’s daughter, signing it “From your Valentine,” a phrase that endures to this day.
Admittedly, this does somewhat take us into tragic romance, but that’s history for you. The jailer’s daughter was not called, unsurprisingly enough, the Maid of Muswell, but the next pub we’d like to spotlight is: near to Alexandra Palace in London, the Maid of Muswell has been welcoming guests since 1926, so you’ll be helping keep the tradition of love alive if you decide this is your go-to venue on Valentine’s Day.
Transition to Romance
The association of Valentine’s Day with romance began in the Middle Ages. By the 14th century, February 14th was widely recognised as a day celebrating love and courtship, thanks to poets like Geoffrey Chaucer. In his work Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer linked the day to the pairing of birds, symbolising romantic unions.
However, he also made the piece over five and a half thousand words long. So perhaps don’t grumble when you need to come up with 20 or so for your Valentine’s card, eh? Plus, it’d only be right to include a pub that could, conceivably, have been visited by Chaucer – none other than the Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh, which dates back to 1360. Now that’s some history.
Victorian Influence and Commercialisation
Fast-forward to the 19th century, and Valentine’s Day took on a new dimension. The invention of the printing press and the rise of the postal service made it easier to send love letters and cards. By the Victorian era, the tradition of exchanging handmade Valentine’s cards became hugely popular. These cards often featured elaborate designs with lace, ribbons, and romantic verses.
The commercialisation of Valentine’s Day truly began in the 20th century, with the introduction of mass-produced cards, chocolates, and other gifts. Today, it’s a global phenomenon, with billions spent annually on tokens of love ranging from flowers to fine dining experiences.
And then there’s us, helping you find the very best places for a romantic Valentine’s night out. As such, we’ve opted for a pub that’s named after cold, hard cash: The Sovereign in Huddersfield. And yes, we did say these links would be tenuous.
A Modern Celebration of Love
While Valentine’s Day has deep historical roots, it’s continually evolving. From grand gestures to simple acts of kindness, people celebrate love in many forms. It’s no longer confined to romantic relationships; friends, family, and even self-love are part of the modern Valentine’s ethos. Just as Ru-Paul: if you can’t love yourself, how you gonna love somebody else?
So, whether you’re planning a special evening with your significant other, sharing moments with friends, or treating yourself to something indulgent, Valentine’s Day is a reminder to appreciate the love that surrounds us. And since Valentine is all about love and desire, here’s a super desirable venue that you’d be well-advised to book in advance – Browns Covent Garden. Perfect if planning a night out at the West End, or you simply want to spoil your loved one – they’ll always remember a night out at Browns.
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day experience?
Check out EatDrinkMeet.co.uk for the best dining and event options near you. You can search for the best pubs and restaurants near you, using a whole range of different filters.
Need a pub where you can take the dog? We’ve got you. Must have an electric vehicle charger in the car park? No problem. A venue that you can hire exclusively so it’s all yours? We can help with that too – or any combination of the above. So dive in, and let EatDrinkMeet help make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.