Medieval Valentine's Day curiosities that will surprise you
When we think of Valentine's Day, red hearts, roses, and shop windows full of chocolate come to mind. However, the medieval version of this holiday was very different: a mixture of religious devotion, courtly poetry, and curious folk traditions. How did they celebrate love over six centuries ago? Here are some of the most interesting and real stories about the medieval Valentine's Day.
There wasn't just one Saint Valentine, but several
One of the most striking facts is that in the Middle Ages there was no single saint by that name. Christian calendars commemorated at least three martyrs named Valentine, although the best known were:
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Valentine of Rome, a 3rd-century priest.
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Valentine of Terni, an Italian bishop also martyred in Roman times.
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Over time, their lives became blended, giving rise to an almost legendary figure. For medieval people, February 14th was primarily a religious commemoration, with no direct connection to romanticism.
Medieval Valentine's Day Clothing
Love arrived because of... the birds
The association between Valentine's Day and falling in love was born from a popular belief: it was thought that in mid-February, birds began to pair up. This idea circulated in France and England and eventually made its way into literature.
The person responsible for establishing it was the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who around 1382 wrote in Parliament of Fowls that Valentine's Day was when “every bird chooses his mate.” From that moment on, the link between the date and human love was sealed.
Medieval Valentine's Day Jewelry
The first “valentines” were handwritten poems
Long before commercial cards, the typical gift was the written word. In European courts, the custom of sending love letters and verses signed as "your Valentine" became popular.
A beautiful example from 1415 has been preserved: Duke Charles of Orleans, a prisoner in the Tower of London, wrote to his wife calling her ma très douce Valentine. It is one of the oldest Valentine's Day greetings we know of.
A celebration influenced by courtly love
Medieval Valentine's Day fit perfectly with the culture of courtly love, that chivalric ideal in which the lover served his lady with almost ritual loyalty. It was not necessarily about marital love, but about admiration, respect, and gallantry.
During the 15th century, some courts organized banquets, poetic jousts, and small social games related to the date.
Draws to find a “Valentine”
In England and parts of France, a curious custom existed: young people would draw names at random to choose their “Valentine” for a specific period of time.
The couple was expected to exchange small tokens and show each other special courtesy.
It was not a formal engagement, but a social game that allowed for flirting within the norms of the time.
The Church never designed it as a romantic day
Although the opposite may seem true today, the romantic dimension was not born from the Church, but from popular culture and literature. For medieval clergy, February 14th remained solely the feast day of a martyr.
For centuries, two traditions coexisted: the official, religious one and another, more festive one, driven by troubadours, students, and common people.
No hearts... "love knots" were better
The heart as a graphic symbol was barely used. Instead, “love knots” were very common—intertwined ribbons representing eternal fidelity that appeared engraved on rings, brooches, and manuscripts.
These medieval motifs are, in a way, the ancestors of our current romantic icons.
From the Middle Ages to Instagram: the same desire to say “I love you”
The Middle Ages did not know candlelight dinners or industrial rose bouquets, but it did leave something essential: the idea of dedicating a day to express affection through words, gestures, and symbols.
Perhaps those troubadours who searched for the perfect verse for their “Valentine” are not so different from us, sending a special message every February 14th. Don't miss our Medieval Valentine's Day!
