We probably have only heard of it because of Henry V’s famous speech on the morning of Agincourt in Shakespeare’s play. In fact, 25th October is renowned for several famous battles that have been fought on it, including Agincourt (1415), and the Battle of Balaclava (of ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ fame) during the Crimean War in 1854.
But who was St. Crispin and why do we remember him, and mark his life and death? Crispin and his twin-brother Crispinian were two Christians brought before the Roman co-Emperor Maximianus in 286, during the infamous persecution instigated by Diocletian. The fact that their case was dealt with at such a high level gives us some indication of their influence. In fact they were effective missionaries in Gaul, spending their days preaching the Gospel, and their nights working as cobblers to support themselves.
After various incentives and promies failed to lure them from their devotion to Christ, Maximianus turned to threats. “Your threats do not terrify us, for Christ is our life and death is our gain. Your rank and possesssions mean nothing to us, for we have long since sacrificed all this and its like for the sake of Christ and rejoice that we have done so. If only you would acknowledge Christ and love Him, you also would give up not only all the treasures of this life, but even the glory of the crown itself, in order through the exercise of compassion, to win eternal life’.
Not the St. Crispin’s Day speech we’re used to!
Maximianus was incensed that they sought to convert him, and handed the twins over to the governor Rictovarus, known for his cruelty in persecuting Christians. The story goes that Crispin and Crispinian were subjected to various tortures, included being stretched on the rack, and - in an act of studied irony - being thrown into a river with a millstone tied round their necks. Incredibly (miraculously?) they survived, and Rictovarius, under conviction, committed suicide, rather than bow to Christ.
Maximianus ordered the brothers to be beheaded, which was duly done.