Why is it tradition for women to propose marriage on Leap Day?

Why is it tradition for women to propose marriage on Leap Day?
Tradition says that 29 February is a day for women to turn the tables and propose to their male partners.

These days both men and women can, of course, propose on any day at any time. Although new research has revealed that if women were to propose to their partners, they’re more likely to do so on a Leap Day.

So where did this strange tradition originate from?

Nobody can say for sure, but there are a number of theories.

One is that Queen Margaret of Scotland supposedly passed a law in 1288 which declared women could propose every Leap Day.

If a man refused, he had to pay a fine of a new gown, gloves or a kiss.

There is, however, no official record of such a law. And the fact that Queen Margaret was only eight years old when she died.

Another theory was that an Irish nun of the fifth century named Saint Bridget pleaded with Saint Patrick for a chance for women to propose to shy men.

Saint Patrick apparently suggested this would be permissible, but only every four years.

A third theory says the tradition originated from a time when leap days weren’t recognised by English law.

With the day having no legal status, it was considered fine for women to break with convention.

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