From the ArcaMax Publishing, Features Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/features/s-152541-759824
The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in 1415 by
Charles Duke of Orleans, at the time a prisoner in the Tower of
London, to his wife. The Duke's Valentine's card is now preserved and
displayed in the British Museum.
However, the origins of Valentine's Day lie in ancient Rome. Over the
years the ever expanding Roman empire became more difficult to police
and there was an increasing shortage of soldiers. Believing that
married men were too attached to their families and unlikely to sign
up for active service, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage, thinking
this would increase the number of quality recruits.
The story goes that a Christian priest by the name of Valentine,
seeing the unhappiness and trauma that resulted, secretly married
couples in defiance of the new law.
It wasn't long before Emperor Claudius found out about Valentine's
actions and the priest was imprisoned and eventually executed on
February 14, 270.
Whilst in prison, Valentine was befriended by his jailer, a character
called Asterius. Asterius had a blind daughter and the jailer asked
Valentine to cure her, which he supposedly did. Shortly before his
execution, Valentine asked for writing implements and signed a
farewell message to the jailer's daughter "From your Valentine", a
phrase that has lived on, much to the delight of modern day florists,
rose growers and card companies!
Tony Luck runs a personalized gifts site that specializes, among
other things, in personalized ceramics - greeting cards, commemorative
plates and tankards.