Allyson Gofton - Be my Valentine

Friday, January 27, 2012 11:09 AM

“Must bid the Morn awake!
Sad Winter now declines,
Each bird doth choose a mate;
This day's Saint Valentine's.
For that good bishop's sake
Get up and let us see
What beauty it shall be
That Fortune us assigns”

Michael Drayton , English poet (1563 - 1631)

St Valentines Day, commemorated on 14^th February, for all those who need a little reminding, is a wonderful day to circle in our diaries - a day of romantic celebration. Whether you are into the grandiose and, no doubt, expensive expressions of love, or the understated but, just as romantic gestures, St Valentine’s Day is a chance to smile and enjoy the wonder of being loved.  I say spoil me with flowers, chocolates, cards – I love it all!

St Valentine’s Day is named after early Christian martyrs, Saint Valentine, and was originally celebrated as far back as 496 AD by Pope Gelasius I. Martyrs Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni are said to be those honoured on February 14,  their lives both succumbing to gruesome and brutal ends as martyrs. Both are suggested to have been remembered for their sacrifice rather than any romantic overtones. Valentine of Rome is said to be buried on the Via Flaminia, and is believed to have died about  AD269 while Valentine Terni is said to have been killed during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian and is also buried on the Via Flaminia.  It is hard to see how romance could play a role in this celebratory day.  But the day was linked to all-things-romance in the 14^th Century.

So where did the romance come in? Legend has it that hints first appeared in Legenda Aurea, where it is reported that St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and that Roman Emperor Claudius II tried unsuccessfully to convert him to paganism from Christianity to spare his life. But St Valentine refused and ended up being executed.  But just before his execution he is said to have healed the blind daughter of his jailer. It is believed that this said Emperor refused to allow single men to marry, thinking that once married they did not make good soldiers. The priest Valentine, it is reported, carried out marriage ceremonies in secret nevertheless. On the eve of his demise and execution it is said that he sent a card to the jailer’s daughter, whom he had healed and ‘befriended’ - the note proclaiming “From your Valentine”. Maybe this is where the link to romance was borne!

Skip to the relatively more modern times...In 1797, a British publisher, produced The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained a collection of verses for the ill-at-ease and the less romantic to make their romantic endeavours more successful and allow them to remain anonymous....And we can guess the rest as commercialism stepped in.

Enough of the history, down to the business of CHOCOLATE plus pleasure-seekers’ cakes and indulgent desserts for our beloveds. Any one of these desserts is sure to show your lovelies how much you care. Enjoy!

Mississippi Mud Cake

Frozen Baileys Cheesecake

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Couli

Chocolate Fudge and Hazelnut Tart

Chocolate and Hazelnut Cake

Ultimate Chocolate Mousse

Pistachio and Cranberry Rocky Road

Mini Black Forest Gateau

Petit Tartlets au Chocolat

and for those who don’t do chocolate

Frangipani Cake