One of the most fun and unique ways of sending a message, invitation, or letter is by delivering it in a bottle. Historians have never been able to pinpoint when in time sending a message in a bottle actually began but what they do know it was used for centuries as a way to send information across waterways usually for the purpose of relaying political and war strategies. In the late 1500's Queen Elizabeth the First decreed that "no unauthorized person could open a message carrying bottle" or they would face a painful death. Only her officially appointed "Uncorker" could retrieve the bottles message.
I like to believe that somewhere during this time on a lonely ocean voyage a young sailor put a love message in a bottle sealed it with a kiss and sent it off to his lover across the great blue waters. When the bottle finally reached its destination that "officially appointed Uncorker" found the bottle and delivered it to the young bride-to-be. Soon other sailors began to send messages in bottles until finally there were thousands swept up on the rocky shores.
The Queen's "Uncorker" was swamped with love messages to deliver as well as bottles for his Queen. Should he deliver the letters of love first or the message of war casualties the Queen was expecting? It was a cold winter's day in February, the 14th to be exact, as he thought about the tearful women awaiting word from their far-away lovers and the bitter Queen unloved and emotionless in her cold joyless castle. He knew his life was in great jeopardy as he made the choice to deliver the love notes, but the smiles and joyful laughter he beheld as he slipped the notes into each woman's quivering hands was worth the dread of the Queens retaliation.
With only the Queen's bottle left to deliver, he bravely went to her castle believing he would never see the light of another day. As he entered the palace her bodyguards immediately grabbed the bottle away from him pushing him into a small anteroom to await his fate. When he heard the Queen howl with anger "how dare that stupid man bring my message last", he knew his time was short.
Silence took over the suddenly still castle, a small whimper followed by a tearful sob filled the air, the Queen was crying!
A few minutes had passed when the Queens Lady of Waiting suddenly appeared to face him, she was quite flustered when she told him that her Queens message was not from the General as she was expecting but from a young lieutenant who had pledged his undying love for the Queen in a beautiful prose... a love letter... the queen's first. His name was Sir Valentine, a man the Queen had never met but yet in his note he swore he loved her devoutly even though from afar.
The Lady of Waiting quieted then took a deep breath, "My Queen wishes to let you know that she thanks you for the delivery of this letter and she apologizes for calling you stupid, she however will in the future continue to refer to you as Cupid".
As silly as this story seems even today love messages delivered in bottles are considered one of the most romantic gifts someone can receive. Now a-days you can craft your own message in a bottle and have the "official postman" deliver it safely without the fear of losing your head! There are companies that sell printed message bottles similar to a romantic card or you can make your own using a recycled empty wine bottle that can be decorated then made into an awesome candle holder for that romantic dinner for two. Either way it will become a keepsake that will be cherished along with your love.
For directions on how to make your own Message in a Bottle visit http://www.squidoo.com/love-message-in-a-bo
For more crafting ideas be sure to check out my blog at http://stainedglasscobbles.wordpress.com
Rita Wise, Creative Director of Stained Glass Cobbles and Optimum Art Glass, is a freelance writer and creative intuitive working primarily in the arts and crafts market. She specializes in creating new applications for existing products combining usefulness with artistic attitude.
Source: Ezine