Valentine's Day linked to love

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I declared 14 February to be Valentine's Day. He attempted to reclaim the festival of the Romans and Christianise it.

It is not certain which St Valentine this day was initially dedicated to. Both saints were ma...

In the mid-19th century, Valentine's cards gained popularity in America, where they were first advertised as a British fashion.

In 1913, Hallmark Cards produced their own Valentin's card, representing a key development in Valentine's Day's commercialisation. Today Valentin...

• In the 15th century, 14 February became an annual feast day in France. Banquets with singing and dancing were held to celebrate romantic love.
• During this time, a Frenchman, imprisoned in the Tower of London, wrote the earliest surviving Valentine's greeting to his...

The less loved-up bought 'Vinegar Valentines' to use as an insult. These cards typically poke fun at a man's profession or a woman's appearance.

One example is a card that features a cartoon of a woman with a large nose. It reads:

"On account of your talk of oth...

The first Valentine's day cards were sent in the 18th century.

Initially, it was handmade cards. Lovers would decorate paper with romantic symbols like flowers and love knots. It often included puzzles and lines of poetry. These cards were then slipped secretly under a doo...

In the early 19th-century, the industrialisation of Britain brought with it advances in printing and manufacturing technologies. Mass-produced Valentine's cards became very popular.

A collection of over 1,700 cards is still held at the Museum of London. Cards feature elabo...