Researchers used modern artificial intelligence technologies to decode the oldest known love letter, written over 540 years ago. The unique document reveals a complex choice between family finances and personal feelings.
This is reported by Finway
Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Study of Historical Documents
Experts from MyHeritage employed the Scribe AI tool to analyze the love letter dated February 1477. The letter was written by Margery Bruce, who addressed her fiancé John Paston III. The letter discussed arrangements regarding the dowry before their upcoming wedding, as well as the difficulties related to financial matters. Before applying artificial intelligence, specialists were unable to decipher the ancient text due to its informal style and numerous linguistic peculiarities.
The use of Scribe AI allowed for a quick and accurate reproduction of the letter’s content. Scientists noted that the letter was written in simple language, with personal addresses and without proper attention to spelling rules.
In the text of the letter, Miss Bruce writes to her fiancé that she has a “heavy heart” because her mother was unable to persuade her father to increase the dowry. However, she assures John of her love and promises not to abandon him, even if he has half as many means of subsistence. She also asks him to keep the letter a secret.
The Significance of the Letter and Historical Context
This letter is part of the famous collection “The Paston Letters,” which consists of over 400 messages exchanged among members of one family from Norfolk, written over three generations. The archive illustrates the social mobility of the time when the Paston family rose from peasantry to the lower aristocracy. Importantly, many letters were written by women, and some were addressed to close relatives or acquaintances.
Scholars emphasize that analyzing such handwritten sources allows for a better understanding of the emotions, daily life, and values of people in the past. In the case of Margery Bruce’s letter, her words reflect personal experiences regarding financial issues and love, as well as the social norms of that time.
During the decoding process, it was found that the author used ancient Anglo-Saxon signs, including the letter “thorn,” special abbreviations, and superscript indices to indicate omitted letters. The document was written in the town of Topcroft in February 1477, although it also mentions the date 1476/7. It is known that Margery and John married, and their son William was born in 1479. Margery died in 1495, and John in 1503.
The oldest love letter in the world has been decoded after 540 years. Photo: The British Library