Saint Valentine, according to romantic legend, was a kind-hearted Roman priest who solemnized the marriages of young couples against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II, and was beheaded for his deeds on the 14th of February. The Romans loved him dearly and assembled at the temple to hear his words. Before the fire that always burned on the altar, they knelt to ask his blessing. Rich and poor, wise and ignorant, old and young, noble and common people they all flocked to Valentine.When the Roman war broke out, Claudius summoned the citizens forth to battle and year after year the fighting continued. Many of the Romans were unwilling to go. The married men did not want to leave their families.

The younger men did not wish to leave their sweethearts. The emperor was angry when soldiers were too few. He ordered that no marriages should be celebrated and that all engagements must be broken off immediately.