Difference between revisions of "St Valentine's Day"
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| − | The Regency period was a much more romantic and less cynical time than the present, and the Festival of St Valentine (February 14th) was in consequence a highly significant day in the social calendar. It was an occasion for much dancing and mingling, and eligible bachelors would compete for the honour of | + | [[File:heart.jpg|thumb|You Have (1) New Message! Click Here To Read It!]] |
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| + | The Regency period was a much more romantic and less cynical time than the present, and the '''Festival of St Valentine''' (February 14th) was in consequence a highly significant day in the social calendar. It was an occasion for much dancing and mingling, and eligible bachelors would compete for the honour of having the biggest balls in the neighbourhood. | ||
===Exchange of Hearts=== | ===Exchange of Hearts=== | ||
| − | The day would begin with unattached men leaving a raw pig's heart on the doorstep of their beloved's cottage. If the feeling was mutual, the object of his affections (also known as his | + | The day would begin with unattached men leaving a raw pig's heart on the doorstep of their beloved's cottage. If the feeling was mutual, the object of his affections (also known as his ''sweet heart'') would use this to make a tasty dish known as [[Delia's Delight]], which she would in turn leave by his door. With mutual affection duly established, this would be followed by an invitation to supper. |
| − | If, however, the suit was in vain, the lady was required to hurl the uncooked heart back at the gentleman's front door, with as much force as she could muster. If he happened to be emerging through the door at the time, so much the better. From this point on, the gentleman would traditionally refer to her as a | + | If, however, the suit was in vain, the lady was required to hurl the uncooked heart back at the gentleman's front door, with as much force as she could muster. If he happened to be emerging through the door at the time, so much the better. From this point on, the gentleman would traditionally refer to her as a ''heartless bitch''. |
===Valentine Cards=== | ===Valentine Cards=== | ||
| − | Valentine cards were invented by [[Ebenezer Hallmark]] in 1802 and were seen as a less risky alternative to the Exchange of Hearts. These cards were often decorated with charming pictures of woodland animals drawn by illustrators from the [[Community of Forever Friends]], with an inspirational poem on the inside. It is believed that [[Lord Byron]] began his career by providing such verses, although the only extant example is sadly torn and the rhyme seems incomplete: | + | Valentine cards were invented by [[Ebenezer Hallmark]] in 1802 and were seen as a less risky alternative to the ''Exchange of Hearts''. These cards were often decorated with charming pictures of woodland animals drawn by illustrators from the [[Community of Forever Friends]], with an inspirational poem on the inside. It is believed that [[Lord Byron]] began his career by providing such verses, although the only extant example is sadly torn and the rhyme seems incomplete: |
| + | <poem style="border: 1px dashed #2f6fab; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 1em;"> | ||
One day l hope that you'll be mine, | One day l hope that you'll be mine, | ||
my fair one, darling Valentine! | my fair one, darling Valentine! | ||
We'll shelter 'neath the arms of Venus, | We'll shelter 'neath the arms of Venus, | ||
And marvel at my massive | And marvel at my massive | ||
| + | </poem> | ||
===Pole Dancing=== | ===Pole Dancing=== | ||
| − | Contrary to popular belief, the tradition of young ladies dancing outside in the marketplace around a pole at the start of May was only introduced in Victorian times. Prior to this, the dancing took place on St Valentine's Day, when the cold weather meant that the dancing was considerably more vigorous and inventive, although in warmer years the ladies would sometimes divest themselves of their outer clothing as the dance went on. | + | Contrary to popular belief, the tradition of young ladies dancing outside in the marketplace around a pole at the start of May was only introduced in Victorian times. Prior to this, the dancing took place on ''St Valentine's Day'', when the cold weather meant that the dancing was considerably more vigorous and inventive, although in warmer years the ladies would sometimes divest themselves of their outer clothing as the dance went on. |
===Flashers' Fancy=== | ===Flashers' Fancy=== | ||
At the end of the day, any males who were still unattached would gather in the marketplace and expose themselves to passing strangers. If the night was particularly cold, this often ended in the phenomenon known as [[Littlejohn's Disappointment]], or - in extreme cases - frostbite. | At the end of the day, any males who were still unattached would gather in the marketplace and expose themselves to passing strangers. If the night was particularly cold, this often ended in the phenomenon known as [[Littlejohn's Disappointment]], or - in extreme cases - frostbite. | ||
Latest revision as of 13:55, 14 February 2012
The Regency period was a much more romantic and less cynical time than the present, and the Festival of St Valentine (February 14th) was in consequence a highly significant day in the social calendar. It was an occasion for much dancing and mingling, and eligible bachelors would compete for the honour of having the biggest balls in the neighbourhood.
Exchange of Hearts
The day would begin with unattached men leaving a raw pig's heart on the doorstep of their beloved's cottage. If the feeling was mutual, the object of his affections (also known as his sweet heart) would use this to make a tasty dish known as Delia's Delight, which she would in turn leave by his door. With mutual affection duly established, this would be followed by an invitation to supper.
If, however, the suit was in vain, the lady was required to hurl the uncooked heart back at the gentleman's front door, with as much force as she could muster. If he happened to be emerging through the door at the time, so much the better. From this point on, the gentleman would traditionally refer to her as a heartless bitch.
Valentine Cards
Valentine cards were invented by Ebenezer Hallmark in 1802 and were seen as a less risky alternative to the Exchange of Hearts. These cards were often decorated with charming pictures of woodland animals drawn by illustrators from the Community of Forever Friends, with an inspirational poem on the inside. It is believed that Lord Byron began his career by providing such verses, although the only extant example is sadly torn and the rhyme seems incomplete:
One day l hope that you'll be mine,
my fair one, darling Valentine!
We'll shelter 'neath the arms of Venus,
And marvel at my massive
Pole Dancing
Contrary to popular belief, the tradition of young ladies dancing outside in the marketplace around a pole at the start of May was only introduced in Victorian times. Prior to this, the dancing took place on St Valentine's Day, when the cold weather meant that the dancing was considerably more vigorous and inventive, although in warmer years the ladies would sometimes divest themselves of their outer clothing as the dance went on.
Flashers' Fancy
At the end of the day, any males who were still unattached would gather in the marketplace and expose themselves to passing strangers. If the night was particularly cold, this often ended in the phenomenon known as Littlejohn's Disappointment, or - in extreme cases - frostbite.
