The First Romantic Mention of St. Valentine’s Day

The first mention of St. Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday appeared in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer in 1382. With the medieval period came a new focus on illicit but chaste courtly love, and it is here that we see some of the familiar iconographies begin to appear. Knights would give roses to their maidens and celebrate their beauty in songs from afar. 

But sugar was still a precious commodity in Europe, so there was no talk of exchanging candy gifts.