Let Me Be Your Valentine

Published: Feb. 14, 2023, 1 a.m.

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\u2019s Day every February 14th to this day.\xa0\xa0\xa0\nWhat 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.\xa0\nIn 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\u2019t had sex recently; and consider whether St. Valentine was one person or three. You know, like God\u2026\xa0\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Who was Saint Valentine? A history of the figure's origins\u2019 (History Extra, 2022): https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/valentine-day-history-saint-who-real-story-cured/\xa0\n\u2022 \u2018St. Valentine beheaded\u2019 (History.com, 2009):\xa0\nhttps://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded\xa0\n\u2022 \u2018Saint Valentine's Day Animated History\u2019 (Fiveminded, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKZepHMFWE\xa0\n#Person #Classical #Christian #Italy\nLove the show? Join\xa0\U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\xa0\U0001f334 to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode every SUNDAY!\nPlus, get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 70 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast.\nJoin now via\xa0Apple Podcasts\xa0or\xa0Patreon.\xa0Thanks!\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices