The oldest known valentine was from Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife, Bonne. Charles wrote it while imprisoned in the Tower of London after being captured at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
It reads:
My very gentle Valentine,
Since for me you were born too soon,
And I for you was born too late.
God forgives him who has estranged
Me from you for the whole year.
I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine.
Charles never saw Bonne again. She died about 10 years before he gained his freedom in 1440.
Oldest Known Valentine William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-14-20
