WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006
history
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3C
Catriona Finlayson, a senior press officer from the British Library in London, said that a 1477 letter written by Margery Brews is the "oldest known Valentine's message." Brews was engaged to John Paston, however her dowry was not sufficient. According to BBC News, Brews "asked her mother to put pressure on her father to increase her dowry - while at the same time telling John that if he loves her, he'll marry her anyway."
Even King Henry V, who led England from 1413-1422, wanted to give his beloved a valentine, too. He commissioned writer John Lydgate to create a valentine note to Catherine of Valois, of France.
Even though the king was sending valentines, Valentine's Day wasn't popularly celebrated until about the 17th century according to historychannel.com. During the middle of the 18th century, it "became common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes." Valentine's Day crossed the ocean to America in the early 1700s.
Today, Valentine's Day is not only celebrated in America, but also in Canada Mexico, Britain, France and Australia.
Editors Note: Special thanks to the British Library in London for contributing to the story.
Edited by Nate Karlin
Unto my right well-beloved valentine John Paston, squire, be this bill delivered.
Right reverent and worshipful and my right well-beloved valentine, I recommend me unto you full heartedly, desiring to hear of your welfare, which I beseech Almighty God long for to preserve unto his pleasure and your hearts desire. And if it please you to hear of my welfare, I am not in good health of body nor of heart, nor shall I be till I hear from you.
For there knows no creature what pain that I endure, And even on the pain of
death I would reveal no more.
And my lady, my mother hath laboured the matter to my father full diligently, but she can no more get than you already know of, for which God knoweth I am full sorry. But if you love me, as I trust verily that you do, you will not leave me therefore. For even if you had not half the livelihood that you have, for to do the greatest labour that any woman alive might, I would not forsake you.And if you command me to keep me true wherever I go, indeed I will do all my might you to love and never anyone else.And if my friends say that I do
amiss, they shall not stop me from doing so. My heart me bids evermore to love you truly over all earthly things. And if they be never so angry, I trust it shall be better in time coming.
No more to you at this time, but the Holy Trinity have you in keeping. And I beseech you that this bill be not seen by any non earthly creature save only yourself. And this letter was written at Topcroft with full heavy heart.
Be your own Margery Brews
Source: British Library in London