The oldest known Valentine greeting is a poem called "Valentine" which was written by the poet Charles, Duke of Orleans, in 1415. Charles was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time, and he wrote the poem to his wife while he was incarcerated. The poem is written in Old French and consists of 14 lines of rhymed verse. It is believed to be the oldest surviving Valentine's Day message, and it is now preserved in the British Library in London. Here is a translation of the poem into English:
Valentine, the day when love was crowned
On this day, I send to you
A little book where all our joys are found
And all the loving things we've said and done
On this day when love is all around
I send my love to you, my valentine
May all your days be filled with love and cheer
And may our love continue through the years.