Valentines Day

A Lasting Legacy of 546 years – The First Valentine Love Story

Here is a letter which is on show at the British Library. It is a letter, written by a young woman to her love, and is the first mention of the word Valentine in the English language. The letter shows that they were no different from the modern ones. They had the same loves, desires and financial problems too.

In 1477 Margery wrote a letter to her John pleading with him not to give her up, despite her parent’s refusal to increase her dowry. Addressing her “ryght wellbeloued Voluntyne” (right well-beloved Valentine), she promised to be a good wife, adding “Yf that ye loffe me as Itryste verely that ye do ye will not leffe me” (If you love me, I trust, you will not leave me).

While romantics 546 years later might celebrate Valentine’s Day with fine dining, chocolates and FTD Valentine Day flowers, Margery is left pleading with her love not to leave her, while pledging her heart over all ‘earthly things.’ She promises her undying love, “Myne herte me bydds ever more to love yowe truly’ (My heart me bids ever more to love you truly) and speaks of her ailing body and heart over her fiance’s continuing silence.

However, modern day lovers be reassured, like any self-respecting fairytale romance the heart did rule the head and, despite her father’s stubbornness over her dowry, Margery did marry her knight and the couple had a son, William, in 1479. Margery died in 1495 and John in 1503.

The letter in the British Library.