New Delhi, Jan. 23 -- Love is, famously, a many-splendored thing. It can encompass longing, loneliness, pain, jealousy, grief - and, sometimes, joy.

As Valentine's Day approaches, the many facets of passion are going on display in "Love Letters," a public exhibition at Britain's National Archives that covers five centuries.

Curator Victoria Iglikowski-Broad said that the documents recount "legendary romances from British history" involving royalty, politicians, celebrities and spies, "alongside voices of everyday people."

"We're trying to open up the potential of what a love letter can be," she told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "Expressions of love can be found in all sorts of places, and surprising places."

They also take many ...