Although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognise St. Valentine as a saint of the church, there is some uncertainty about who exactly he was. One thing that is agreed is that someone called Valentine was killed on or around February 14th, 270, which some believe is why we celebrate Valentine’s Day every February 14th to this day.   

What is less clear is why St. Valentine was executed, what he did in his life, and what exactly he had to do with romantic love. Fortunately, there is no shortage of stories that have been offered up throughout the ages, each more fanciful than the last. 

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly discuss the role of Shakespeare and Chaucer in popularising the connection between St. Valentine and love; speculate on whether soldiers fight better if they haven’t had sex recently; and consider whether St. Valentine was one person or three. You know, like God…  

Further Reading:

• ‘Who was Saint Valentine? A history of the figure's origins’ (History Extra, 2022): https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/valentine-day-history-saint-who-real-story-cured/ 

• ‘St. Valentine beheaded’ (History.com, 2009): 

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded 

• ‘Saint Valentine's Day Animated History’ (Fiveminded, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKZepHMFWE 

#Person #Classical #Christian #Italy

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

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