Valentine’s Day is such a popular day all around the world and is often associated with love and romance. But many don’t know that much about the Saint that inspired the annual celebration. The 3rd-century Roman saint of courtly love is well known for the holiday named after him which takes place every February 14th and makes us all make a frantic dash to the supermarket for some last-minute chocolate and flowers.
But the real St. Valentine was a clergyman who cared for persecuted Christians. He was martyred and his remains were buried at a Christian cemetery in the north of Rome, on February 14, which has been observed as the Feast of Saint Valentine, the basis of the modern holiday.
Jonathan Swift
The legendary Anglo-Irish author Jonathan Swift was born in 1667. He was known for his satirical style and is most famous for his novel Gulliver’s Travels. Swift was also an essayist who wrote many pieces regarding politics and philosophy. He used his platform to publicly criticize science, which was gaining popularity at the time. In portraits, Swift was often depicted as a stylish gentleman of his times with a white wig and seemingly powdered white face.
Swift worked alongside his muse Esther Johnson (nicknamed Stella by the writer) for most of his life. The nature of their relationship is unclear and has been speculated about since they were both among the living. Johnson basically lived in Swift’s house and there have been rumors that the two were secretly married. If that was the case, it is not clear why it was kept a secret, but we will probably never know.
The Real Swift
Artist Van Nort constructed this life-like bust of Jonathan Swift which is on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Dublin. Color us impressed! Every little detail of Swift's face is depicted, even his eye-bags and chin dimple. It's completely uncanny when you look at the paintings side by side with it.
Side note, we wonder if having the "Swift" surname automatically makes you a great writer. Just look at Jonathan Swift (a prolific writer of the 17th century) and Taylor Swift (a pop icon and famous songwriter of the 21st century). The evidence is undeniable! Maybe we'll try changing our surnames.
Be My Valentine
There are some romantic aspects to the life of the saint. He performed secret marriage ceremonies after they were banned by Emperor Claudius II. The emperor believed that if he kept young men from marrying and having children, he would have more soldiers for his army. Marriage ceremonies, especially Christian ones were still new, and Valentine was caught, imprisoned, and tortured.
There is a legend that Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and before he died left her a note that was signed ‘from your valentine’. Here we see a statue depicting the saint, sheep at his side, in the Parish church, St. Veit, Austria.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen, the celebrated author whose name has become synonymous with timeless literary British works, was born into a family that revered knowledge and the written word. With remarkable talent and insight, Austen delved into the intricate webs of human emotions, exploring themes of love, societal status, and marriage within the context of the 18th-century landed gentry.
Her novels, such as the beloved "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Emma," not only captivated readers with their compelling narratives. But they also offered a glimpse into the lives of ordinary individuals navigating their way through the complexities of their time.