Valentine Card E Cards

The historical roots of Valentine’s Day can be traced back both to ancient Rome and to the 4th century days of early Christianity. Initially, sentiments felt by a young man were expressed to his beloved on Valentine’s Day through the spoken word or through song. However, as the practice of Valentine greetings spread during the Middle Ages throughout Europe, written messages became the vogue.

The Duke of Orleans and the First Known Valentine Card

Charles, Duke of Orleans, (1391-1465), father of the future French King, Louis XII, and a poet of note, was captured at the Battle of Agincourt (1415) and imprisoned in England. While being held in the Tower of London, he composed a Valentine poem for his wife, Bonne d’Armagnac. The first two lines of the poem were:

Je suis deja d'amour tanné / Ma tres dolce Valentinée…