Henry's Holidays: A Vivacious Valentine's Day Quiz

Answer: Lupercalia

Actually, the Lupercalia festival is so ancient that its origin might have pre-dated the Romans. The purpose of the festival was to ward off evil spirits, purify the city, and release health and fertility. In part, the celebration was held to honor Lupa, the mother wolf who rescued Remus and Romulus from the banks of the flooding Tiber River; Lupercalia, therefore, means "wolf festival". To begin the event, two male goats and a dog would be sacrificed in a sacred cave, after which their skins would be cut into thongs; priests called Luperci would wear the skins and strike people with the whip-like thongs. Women and girls especially would line up to be struck with the thongs; the ritual was to promote fertility, prevent sterility, and help with the pains of childbirth.

Some people believe that Valentine's Day came into existence after the Christian Church outlawed the Lupercalia, as an important rite of Spring.

Answer: Worthy

My lady told us that there are three possible St. Valentines whose martyrdoms are remembered on February 14, but most of the information about them is more legendary than fact. One was a Roman priest who was martyred during the rule of Emperor Claudius II in 269; the second was a bishop of Terni, born around 175, who was taken to Rome and martyred. All that is known about the third St. Valentine is that he was martyred somewhere in Africa.

It may be that we are decorating the great hall with red decorations as a symbol of their martyrdom.

Answer: Cnut and Emma

King Cnut was king of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and England. During his reign Cnut repaired and rebuilt many of the monasteries that had previously been destroyed by Viking raiders. One of his most generous donations was a gold cross given to the New Minister in Winchester; all of us pages are anxious to make a pilgrimage to see the sacred relic. After King Cnut died, it is said that Queen Emma made the donation of the head of St. Valentine to the abbey. Now we really want to visit Winchester!

Author's Note: There is also a church in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria, that claims to have the skull of St. Valentine.

Answer: Hundred Years War

Charles was found alive after the Battle of Agincourt; relatively unharmed, he was unable to get up due to the weight of his body armor. He was taken prisoner and spent the next twenty-four years of his life in England, moving from castle to castle. While in captivity, he was allowed relative comfort, but the king forbade any type of ransom deal with the French. During this time Charles occupied himself by writing poetry. Sadly, his second wife, Bonne of Armagnac, died before the Valentine message made its way to her.

Author's Note: Today the message can be found in the manuscript collection of the British Library.

Answer: Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem in 1382 in honor of the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. My lady said that this may be the first mention of a Valentine's Day in England. Before Chaucer's poem it is believed that Valentine's Day was more associated with the sacrifice that a person makes for love rather than for romantic love. I can see that the other pages, like myself, are puzzled by this statement, but if my lady says it, it must be true! Perhaps one day we will understand!

Answer: Because birds look for mates beginning on February 14

In his poem, "Parliament of Foules" (or Fowls), Chaucer wrote, "For this was on St. Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate." He was not the only author who spoke of birds mating on St. Valentine's Day, although he was probably the earliest. Otton de Grandson, John Gower, and Pardo from Valencia also composed similar poems at about the same time as Chaucer.

Author's Note: Some historians - and ornithologists - argue that it is highly unlikely that birds mated in England on February 14. However, one must remember than in Chaucer's time the Julian Calendar was in use, and it is possible that some birds were mating and nesting by February 23, which would be the date on the Gregorian calendar.

Answer: Handmade Card

Although some may choose to recite a poem or sing a song, handmade paper cards are the normal gift in our day. This is no small feat when one considers that paper is scarce and expensive, and decorations, such as ribbons and lace, are found in market places, which are rarely visited. If I had to guess, I would say my lord, the Earl of Warwick, has asked our troubadour to compose a beautiful song for his lady.

Answer: Sleeve

My lady said that the Romans had a similar custom during the Lupricalia, but ours is more decently conducted. I swear, sometimes she speaks in riddles! While we pages were contemplating what she meant by that, she went on to say that while the man was "wearing his heart on his sleeve", he was sworn to protect the maiden.

Author's Note: Some sources say that the man wore his maiden's name for a week, while others say he was sworn to protect her for a year! Yikes! What if they didn't like each other?

Answer: France

We have heard that the French king, Charles VI, annually celebrates Valentine's Day at Mantes-la-Jolie with a feast, singing and poetry competitions, jousting, and dancing. The nobles ladies at this celebration, also hear and rule on arguments between lovers. Poor Queen Isabeau! She has to periodically deal with a husband who is on the brink of insanity. I am sure this is a much-appreciated diversion for her.

Answer: Henry VIII

Author's Note: This, of course, would have happened after Henry's day and time. There are countless sources that give the "romantic" Henry credit for establishing Valentine's Day as a tradition in England. Actually, there is some question in my mind as to King Henry's connection to making Valentine's Day a national holiday in England. Before the Reformation, of course, it was listed as a saint day on the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, however, in 1534, Henry did away with the Catholic Church in England when he issued the Act of Supremacy.

The day reappeared on the Anglican Church's Calendar in the 1661-62 Book of Common Prayer, long after Henry's death. It seems that the confusion comes from the fact that, according to a 2012 article found on BBC News, Henry issued a charter in 1537 for a Valentine's fair at King's Lynn. One has to wonder if all the sites who give Henry the credit, misconstrued Henry's intentions.

There is a huge difference between granting a charter for a fair and making Valentine's Day a national holiday.