We all know the story of Valentine’s Day, right?
Okay, in case you need a refresher, it goes like this. Roman emperor, Claudius II decreed that no soldier could marry because he believed single men were more valiant in combat (translation – they had nothing to lose). Enter Valentinus. Something of a romantic sod, he thought those poor men were getting a raw deal and continued to marry them and their sweethearts in secret. Right up until he got busted and tossed in the clink for defying an edict by the Emperor. At this point he might or might not have fallen in love with the warden’s daughter, and he may or may not have sent her a farewell letter just before his execution signed “Your Valentine.” Either way, this is the Valentine’s Day genesis story.
The question is, how did we go from martyred romantic to the ultimate Hallmark holiday?
I was under the impression that this whole business of exchanging cards and gifts was a product of 20th century advertising and mass production. As it turns out, I was wrong (it happens occasionally).
The first mention of the word Valentine in connection with romance is found in this passage from Chaucer’s 1382 work, Parliament of Foules:
Of course, considering most birds in the UK don’t mate until spring – he probably wasn’t referring to February 14th.
Some romantic historians believe that the assignation of mid-February as the chosen date for amour is a nod to the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia. According to Plutarch, on the date of the festival “many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs.” It also involved the sacrifice of two male goats and a dog.
So. That was a thing.
The earliest surviving Valentine in the English language comes from a 1477 letter written by a young woman by the name of Margery to her sweetheart, John. Here’s an excerpt:
The next time your kids wonder why they should study spelling – point them to this letter. She begs her ‘ryght welebeloved Voluntyne’ (right well beloved Valentine) not to leave her even though her father will not increase her dowry.
Aside from learning that women were sometimes required to dicker with their beloved for their own selling price, we also learn that the concept of the Valentine was just as ingrained in British society by the fifteenth century as it is throughout the west today. (For any romantics out there, this couple did eventually marry and have a son.)
By the sixteenth century everyone from John Donne to Shakespeare to Edmund Spenser had jumped on the Valentine’s Day bandwagon and there was no going back. February 14th had become the day that men habitually forgot and single girls everywhere dreaded.
For this week’s Throwback Thursday, I’m going to hearken ye back to the days of yore for a look at a little Renaissance jewelry! When Europe finally emerged from the plague-ridden Dark Ages, everyone was ready for a bit of beauty and refinement…if they could afford it.
Rings were a popular status symbol worn by men and women – and often at least one on every finger. Below is an example of a recently auctioned 17th century sapphire and diamond ring (and of course SJ’s less expensive, though strikingly similar version).
Expanded exploration and trade routes created a demand for different types of gemstones, and among the favorites of the upper class was the pearl. Especially prized were oddly shaped natural baroque pearls.
We can’t talk about the Renaissance and pearls without a nod to Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece Girl with a Pearl Earring!
The Renaissance didn’t die, but gradually gave way to the Baroque period in the late seventeenth century. If the Renaissance is a fine, demure lady…Baroque is a diva! It’s ornate. It’s delightfully over-the-top, and it demands to be seen.
You can see the influence of nature both in the Baroque period bib on the left, as well as SJ’s Gold Toned Branch Bib on the right.
So, we’ve seen some lovely period jewelry, and found out how we ended up gorging ourselves on giant heart shaped boxes of chocolate covered nougaty goodness on February 14th.
Sort of.
Leave a comment below, letting me know what you think and you’ll be entered to win your choice of SJ’s Throwback Thursday Renaissance picks! Check out last week’s winners here: https://a.pgtb.me/jQ5LbV
107 comments
Thanks for sharing.
i learned somehing new today, interesting, thanks
Great piece, I now cam speak with confidence about the origin of Valentine’s day! Absolutely love the ring, its gorgeous!
well, now I know it’s not just consumerism!! Interesting to know the background :)
Beautiful, love the Renaissance pieces! The ring is gorgeous, never goes out of style.
Ty for the chance and sharing the history
Beautiful story
I like the Renaissance style of jewelry, especially the Gold Toned Branch Bib necklace. Thanks for the history of Valentine’s Day!
I love the history and the jewelry!! Thanks for the chance to win. Fingers and toes crossed :)
interesting article
The early days of the history of Valentines Day are pretty grim. Sacrificing dogs and goats, striking those you meet and bartering for your own price? No thanks! The highly commercialized Valentines Day of today doesn’t look so bad after all!
very interesting stories. some i’ve never heard. would love to have that ring!! i’d love a ring on each finger too
W|OW I had no idea! great information on the history of Valentines Day & I love seeing the jewelry!
very touching story I had forgotten it thank you for sharing
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
i love the pearl earrings!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this story and the jewelry is beautiful !!! thank you for giving us the chance to win it !!!
Lots of interesting information!
Interesting story.
Fascinating,thank you very much for the knowledge.I don’t agree with Claudius.I would think a Soldier/Person would fight harder if they have something to lose,I know I would.
And I’m glad people don’t run up and down the street naked striking people with shaggy tongs anymore Lol.Giving someone a card,roses and chocolates it’s much more politically correct nowadays.
Love all the featured pieces, and the sapphire ring is my favorite. The ring was popular during the Renaissance and reminds me of Princess Diana in modern times.
Funny Nicholas Sparks/Shakespeare meme! I taught high school cheerleaders and football players basic Shakespeare and Chaucer!
Love the earrings
Wow!I didn’t know all of this. Thank you so much for sharing! Thanks for the chance at this awesome giveaway!
Fascinating! While reading your brief history, I had imagines of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Thanks for the education!
Very interesting post!
I LOVE Renaissance jewelry!!
Thank you for the article. Learning new (and strange)facts makes life, and you, more interesting. May you and yours have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
I would sacrifice 2 goats & a horse for that awesome Gold Toned Branch Bib. ;)
Thanks for sharing the history. I love reading about those things. What a great sapphire ring! Just beautiful!
Diana C
Thanks for the interesting article! Just goes to show, we’re never too old to learn!
I would sacrifice 2 goats & a dog for that awesome Gold Toned Branch Bib. lol ;)
Interesting to know the history. The jewelry is lovely.
Wow very interesting history lesson! Loved it and the jewelry! Thanks :) <3
Love the all the jewelry in the article, but my favorite is SJ’s Gold Toned Branch Bib
Interesting article and beautiful pieces.
The article was very interesting. I enjoyed learning some new facts about Valentines Day. I hope the giveaway is for the sapphire ring because it looks so beautiful
Thanks for the info. Love the Baroque period especially the music. My fav is the Branch Bib.
Wow, totally blown Away! Awesome! ❤
really interesting!
love that bib necklace !! so pretty !!
I liked reading the information about the first known Valentine.
very interesting
Thanks for the Great info- learned a lot! Love the ring! Thanks!
Most Interesting – have lived thru so many Valentine Days – but most of this had never heard. Did not know about the sacrifices of dogs and birds – maybe I knew a lot more than I remembered – thanks, really enjoyed. Would really love the sapphire ring, all jewelry beautiful.
Very interesting, learned something new. Thanks!
I would never had guested the Valentine stores as these!
Very interesting! Love the sapphire ring.
Beautiful, love the Renaissance pieces!
I love the period time pieces. They’re so elegant.
Interesting read!! Thanks:)
EACH TIME I learn something new…
Great story…..and I especially like the remake of the ring!
I thought that article was really neat – who new that the day he was referring to was not the 14th.
That was really cool!
I think it so awesome that you guys posted this! How cool it is to learn something that you never knew! I never knew how Valentine’s Day was truly choose – not what I had ever expected!
Thanks for enlighten me oh the history of Valentine’s Day and the jewelry is definitely classy my favorite is the sapphire and Opal ring.By the way Happy Valentines. Day to all.
interesting story, for me I like the ring the most.
I actually didn’t know most of this history, and I found it very interesting! I love the pieces you chose, and I think they fit in well with the theme of the article. I for one am glad that Valentine’s Day has evolved…I love those heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and all of the pretty jewelry, too! Thank you for the giveaway!!
Beautiful and elegant! Love it
Amazing the history of valentines day I loved reading it I love history. Thank you for sharing. It is nice you posted this so we all know. I think one should know the history of the days we celebrate. It’s important.
Thank you for sharing. It is important to know the history of the days we celebrate. I love history and feel it is important to know. It is nice you shared this with us and I thank you.
love the pearl earrings. same thing w/ other holidays, the need to make money off everything, what happened to the Christmas holidays, thanksgiving…retail…
Well what else says I love you like chocolate and gold?
I also thought San Valentines’ day with gift and card exchanges was a product of 20th century advertising and mass production. Thanks for open our eyes and tell us these histories and how it started.
By the way, I was wow by Super Jeweler imitations of the Renaissance and Baroque’s Jewelry. They are really nice!
very insightful i do like the blue rings.
Really interesting xx
Love the history & the jewelry, especially the Sapphire ring!!
I love learning things about our history & I love jewelry!
Interesting history!
Thank you for the enlightening article! All of your jewelry creations are always absolutely stunning!
nice Thanks for sharing!
The Renaissance is my favorite period for fashion-the pearl earrings are timeless!
it’s always interesting how things come about.
Very interesting. Thanks for the history. Love SJ’s interpretations of the jewelry.
Now this is a conversation starter over a lovely Valentines Days romantic dinner
ALL THE INFORMATION PRINTED ABOVE IS VERY INFORMATIVE AND THE JEWELRY IS QUITE EXQUISITE…….
What a fascinating story! As they say, love will always find a way. I can’t think of anything more romantic! All of your pieces are beautiful, but that necklace is to swoon for! :)
That was very interesting, I had no idea! Thanks for sharing!
Another day to learn something new, love the ring!
I learned lots of new information in this article, love the gold toned bib!
Thank you, a very unique and interesting article! :)
nice informative article, gorgeous necklace!
Well, it’s true that you learn something new evryday. I had no idea about the birds and dogs, but I sure am happy that Valentine’s Day is celebrated with such a ruckus. I just love the chocolates, candies, flowers, but especially the jewelry. Like that sapphire/diamond stone ring. The silver earrings are also beautiful. Thank you for sharing this tidbit about Valentine’s Day.
I never knew these things about Valentine’s Day. I am so glad you wrote about this. Like most good things we enjoy today, they are based on some sort of sacrifice others made in the past. Most of us know that in love/relationship we are still making sacrifices, lol. I love the jewelry especially the bib necklace. Thank you for sharing this and happy Valentine’s day to all!
Who Knew,thanks for the info.
thank you for this post. my niece is always saying that Valentines day is just a big scam by the greeting card companies and i have always argued that it was more than that. now i have the proof. LOL!
all of the pieces you showed were gorgeous but i love the bib necklace the most, it’s so beautiful! :)
tammy ramey
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I loved reading the history of valentines day. I also just want a big box of chocolates. No more no less. Thanks
I love reading about history and these jewelry pieces are beautiful!
Great Blog! I love the necklace and ring!
I JUST LOVE HOW HISTORIANS GET THIER INFORMATION TO GIVE US THE LEDGENS OF WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE & HOW OF LIFE BEFOR THEIRS!! BLESSED BE!!!!!!! :) :)
Thanks for sharing
it’s fun to learn new things thank you
Interesting read! I did not know the story of the origins of valentines. The ring is gorgeous and the bib necklace is so pretty too!
I have always been such a fan of Girl with the Pearl Earring. thanks so much for the info i love learning about history ty.
this was an awesome read ty so much for sharing
Renaissance jewelry is particularly attractive, especially the rings which I would love to wear on each finger. Thanks for the refresher on Valentine’s Day. As always, I appreciate your sense of humour and the smiles you give me reading your blog.
Renaissance jewelry is always unique
Wow everything is so beautiful
I’m so in love with that sapphire and diamond ring! So romantic!
Great story! The sapphire ring would be the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift!
Renaissance jewelry is always unique,,loved the great story too!! Thank you!
Interesting history lesson.
I never knew the history of Valentine’s Day. Thank you for this information.
Great article about history of valentine’s day. I was looking for this article for so many days. I have found another history of valentine’s day from another site. But this is looking good.
Thank you!!
It is a great written stuff. Not many people write like this. This article is helpful and I think many readers should read this wonderful information.