Most people know that it was Charles Dickens who made Christmas the institution it is today, and similarly it is said that Valentines Day was characterised by Canterbury Tales author Geoffrey Chaucer through his romantic 14th Century chronicles.

However, the history of Valentines Day and its patron saint is in fact masked by mystery and we can only tap the surface of some of the legends that surround this amorous phenomenon. The Catholic Encyclopaedia states that the saint whose feast was celebrated on February 14th could have been any one of three martyred men named Valentine, or Valentinus. One of these men was a priest in third century Rome, which was at the time under the rule of Emperor Claudius II.

Claudius in his wisdom decided that single men made better soldiers than those with family ties; so he banned all young men from marrying. Valentine was apparently disgusted by the injustice of the decree, and secretly continued to perform marriages, bringing together young lovers in the gift of holy matrimony. Of course Valentines defiant actions were discovered, and his fate was sealed. Claudius ordered that he be put to death; but his death was in the name of love.

Another legend suggests that Valentine actually sent the first Valentine greeting himself. Apparently, whilst in prison, Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his incarceration. Before his death, it is said that he wrote her a letter, and signed it From your Valentine.

Although the real truth behind the Valentine enigma is not clear, one thing that does stand out is that he was caring, heroic, and of course, romantic. The popularity of Valentines Day started to excel around the 17th Century and by the mid-18th Century, friends and lovers from all walks of life were exchanging tokens of affection or handwritten letters conveying love and admiration.

By the end of the 18th Century, handwritten cards started to be replaced by commercial cards which, during a period when expressing emotions was discouraged, made it easier for people to air their feelings with a pre-printed romantic verse. Now the oldest known Valentines card is currently on display in the British Museum in London.

Valentines Day has come a long way since the days of romantic handwritten notes and secret weddings. These days, around £26 million is spent on Valentines cards every year as well as £151 million on flowers and £384 million on chocolates. As well as the UK, Valentines Day is celebrated in France, the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia.

Whatever its origins, Valentines Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship, whether its with a card, chocolates, flowers or a simple, handwritten note ... from the heart.