Valentine's Day - The Real Story

The Flower Crowned Skull of Saint Valentine.

Historical facts tell us the Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).^[9] 

Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 496 and was buried on the Via Flaminia.

Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian.

One legend tells us that Saint Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. 

Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. 

The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

Now Saint Valentine's Day is a far cry from its origins in torture, execution and martyrdom. The day certainly helps keep Hallmark and florists in business.

Happy Valentine's Day from The Twisted Radio Team, we hope you get flowers and confectionery as opposed to torture and execution!

Source - Wikipedia