Did you know that the first Valentine’s Day card was sent from the Tower of London?

In 1415, Charles, Duke of Orleans wrote a few lines in a poem which have been coined the lines of the very first Valentine’s Day card. The then 21 year old, Duke of Orleans was caught in a cross fire of a fight in control of France and was captured in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and was held hostage.

In his time at the Tower he wrote his wife a letter which included the lines:

‘God forgives him who has estranged

Me from you for the whole year.

I am already sick of love,

My very gentle Valentine.’

Sadly, Charles would never see his wife again as he was held prisoner at The Tower of London for 25 years and she died before he was released.