29/02/2024
IT'S LEAP DAY TODAY - just had to share some interesting facts I never knew
St Valentine's Day has been and gone but love is still very much in the air and, like so many things, the idea of women proposing to men on Leap Day, 29th February, comes to you from Ireland.
Traditionally it was called Bachelor's Day, or Ladies' Privilege, and on this day women were allowed to propose marriage whereas legally (and religiously), only men were allowed to do the proposing.
Legend tells us the tradition began in the 5th century when a deal was struck between Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick. It's said she complained to him that women had to wait too long to marry because men were slow to propose, and asked that women be given the opportunity. Patrick agreed, but said he would only allow it on one day every seven years. Bridget persevered and eventually convinced him to make it once every four years, on Leap Day, 29th February. It's said she got down on one knee to plead her case and that's where the whole one knee malarkey comes in.
Irish monks eventually took the tradition to mainland Britain where, in 1288, Scotland passed a law that women could propose during a leap year, that they must wear a red petticoat while doing so, and that refusals would result in a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to a silk dress or a pair of gloves to hide the lady's shame at not wearing a ring.
Shared from Ireland and Peg's Cottage and Earthmonk
