Valentine's Day in England: A Historical Guide
Valentine's Day has deep roots in England, evolving from ancient festivals and medieval courtly traditions into the commercial celebration we know today. This guide traces the holiday's fascinating journey through English history.
Ancient and Medieval Origins
The story begins with the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February. When Christianity spread across the Roman Empire, the Church sought to Christianize pagan festivals. Pope Gelasius I established St. Valentine's Day on February 14th in 496 AD, commemorating one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine.
By medieval times, England had embraced the holiday with particular enthusiasm. The 14th and 15th centuries saw Valentine's Day become associated with romantic love, possibly influenced by Geoffrey Chaucer's poetry. His 1382 poem "Parliament of Foules" contains one of the earliest references linking St. Valentine's Day with romantic love, describing how birds choose their mates on this day.
Tudor and Stuart England (1485-1714)
During the Tudor period, Valentine's Day traditions became more elaborate among the aristocracy and educated classes. The practice of drawing names to select valentines emerged, creating temporary romantic bonds for the day. Young people would draw names from a bowl, and the person whose name you drew became your valentine for the celebration.
Shakespeare references Valentine's Day in "Hamlet" (circa 1600), indicating the tradition was well-established by the Elizabethan era. The practice of exchanging love tokens and handwritten notes grew increasingly popular among those who could write.
Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, recorded Valentine's Day celebrations in 1660s London. His diary entries reveal that the holiday involved gift-giving that could be quite expensive, with valentines expected to present their chosen ones with gloves, jewelry, or other costly items.
The Rise of Valentine Cards (18th-19th Centuries)
The 18th century marked a significant shift in English Valentine's Day customs. Handwritten valentine notes became more elaborate, often featuring puzzles, acrostics, and decorative elements. These were frequently decorated with lace, ribbons, flowers, and cupids.
The practice of sending elaborate handmade cards flourished among the middle and upper classes. Young women would spend hours crafting intricate valentines using colored paper, watercolors, and whatever decorative materials they could acquire. Some cards featured "puzzle purses" that could be opened in various ways to reveal different messages.
The industrial revolution transformed Valentine's Day dramatically. In the 1840s, the penny post made sending cards affordable for ordinary people, democratizing the tradition. British manufacturers began mass-producing valentine cards, though many were still assembled by hand with lace paper, ribbons, and chromolithographed images.
The Victorian era saw Valentine's Day reach peak popularity in England. Card production became a significant industry, with elaborate designs featuring cupids, hearts, doves, and flowers. Some cards were highly ornate confections of lace, silk, satin, and even feathers. By the 1870s, the British were sending hundreds of thousands of valentine cards annually.
Victorians also sent "vinegar valentines" or "penny dreadfuls"—cruel, mocking cards sent anonymously to people the sender disliked. These satirical cards, often featuring unflattering caricatures and insulting verses, were surprisingly popular, though they eventually fell out of favor.
Victorian Courtship Rituals
Beyond cards, Victorian England developed elaborate Valentine's Day customs. Young women performed divination rituals on Valentine's Eve, believing they would dream of their future husbands. Some traditions involved eating strange foods, pinning bay leaves to pillows, or watching for the first man to pass by their window in the morning, believing he would resemble their future spouse.
The language of flowers became particularly important during this period. Victorians assigned specific meanings to different blooms, allowing lovers to send coded messages through carefully arranged bouquets. Red roses symbolized passionate love, while other flowers conveyed different sentiments.
20th Century Transformations
The early 20th century saw Valentine's Day become less prominent in England, partly due to the upheaval of two world wars. The tradition continued but with less elaborate celebration than in Victorian times.
American influence grew throughout the century, particularly after World War II. The American custom of exchanging valentines in schools gradually took root in England, though never quite as universally as in the United States. The commercialization of the holiday intensified, with shops promoting Valentine's gift-giving well beyond simple cards.
By the late 20th century, Valentine's Day in England had become predominantly commercial, centered on romantic dinners, flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and cards. The tradition of sending anonymous valentines largely disappeared, replaced by openly romantic declarations.
Contemporary Celebrations
Today's Valentine's Day in England blends historical traditions with modern practices. While the holiday remains popular, some British people view it with skepticism, considering it an overly commercialized American import, despite its deep English roots.
Common modern practices include:
Cards and flowers: Red roses remain the classic Valentine's gift, with florists experiencing their busiest day of the year
Romantic dinners: Restaurants fill with couples celebrating the evening
Chocolates and gifts: Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and jewelry are popular presents
Proposals: Some couples choose Valentine's Day for marriage proposals
Modern communication: Text messages, emails, and social media declarations supplement or replace traditional cards
The tradition of Valentine's cards in primary schools continues, with children exchanging cards with classmates, though this is less universal than in America.
Regional Variations
While Valentine's Day is celebrated throughout England, some regional variations exist. In Norfolk, a character called "Jack Valentine" traditionally knocked on doors on Valentine's Eve, leaving sweets and presents for children before running away. This custom, similar to a kindly version of trick-or-treating, has largely died out but reflects the holiday's broader folk traditions.
Cultural Significance
Valentine's Day in England has evolved from a folk festival with pagan origins, through medieval and aristocratic courtship rituals, to a Victorian celebration of romantic love, and finally to today's commercial holiday. Throughout these transformations, the holiday has remained a distinctive part of English cultural life, reflecting changing attitudes toward love, courtship, marriage, and commercialism.
The English contribution to Valentine's Day traditions—particularly the valentine card—has had lasting global influence. While the holiday's meaning and practice have shifted dramatically over centuries, it continues to offer the English a midwinter opportunity to celebrate romance and affection, carrying forward traditions that stretch back through generations of English history.
