What is St Crispin’s Day? History of holiday mentioned in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s resignation letter

St Crispin and St Crispinian (Picture: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

October 25 has been a big day for the UK, gaining a new Prime Minister in Rishi Sunak and all.

It also happens to be St Crispin’s Day – an odd fact pointed out by departing Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, as he quickly stepped down from his role in Cabinet.

The MP for North East Somerset unexpectedly used ‘St Crispin’s Day 2022’ as the date in his resignation, as opposed to writing out the day’s number and what month it is.

So, just what is St Crispin’s Day, what’s the history behind the day, and is it ever celebrated?

Here’s all you need to know.

What is St Crispin’s Day?

St Crispin’s Day is a date in the Christian calendar, that falls on October 25 each year.

The Saints Crispin and Crispinian (Picture: Icas94 / De Agostini via Getty Images)

Though it’s not often recognised or celebrated in denominations of Christianity today – it is commemorated among the many dates of the Church of England’s yearly calendar.

What is the history behind St Crispin’s Day?

Traditionally, St Crispin’s Day was a feast day to mark the martyrdom of two saints: Crispin and Crispinian.

Both the patron saints of cobblers, leather workers, tanners, saddlers and glove, lace and shoe makers (among other professions) – the pair were said to have been martyred around the year 285AD for their faith.

Again, it’s not really celebrated anymore – but as Northampton’s Museum of Leathercraft writes on its website, St Crispin does have a connection to the town.

They were the patron saints for craft workers such as leatherworkers and cobblers (Picture: Getty) Jacob Rees-Mogg’s resignation letter – which mentioned St Crispin’s Day

St Crispin’s Day, 2022

Dear Prime Minister,

Many congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister. I wish you every success.

As you will rightly want your own team I would be grateful if you would convey my resignation as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to The King. It has been an honour to serve in this and previous roles but having completed some of today’s Parliamentary business it is time to go.

In the interests of the nation the Conservative Party must unite under your leadership and I shall do all I can to support you.

I have the honour to remain %c.,

Jacob Rees-Mogg

It adds: ‘As patron saints of cobblers, Crispin and Crispinian are patron saints of Northampton also.’

You may notice a number of streets called St Crispin in Northamptonshire, as well as a social club, retirement village, a defunct psychiatric hospital (now a conservation area) and the occasional fair.

Crispin and Crispinian are also connected to the town of Faversham, and have a pub named after them in Strood, both in Kent.

Mostly, though, the day is now widely associated with the William Shakespeare play Henry V.

In the play, Henry attempts to rally downtrodden troops during the Battle of Agincourt – a real battle which took place on October 25 1415 – with a rousing St Crispin’s Day Speech.

More: William Shakespeare

The play was written in the 1600s, and was later recreated on film by Laurence Olivier in 1944.

Olivier had previously received positive feedback for reading the speech on the radio during the Second World War – in a bid to boost morale. Reportedly Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the one to suggest a movie.

In 1989, actor Kenneth Branagh also gave the speech in his movie adaption of Henry V.

The St Crispin’s Day speech reportedly helped to popularise the turn of phrase ‘band of brothers’.

MORE : Jacob Rees-Mogg ‘quits government and will deliver letter this afternoon’

MORE : A lot of Shakespeare’s work may have been written by someone else, say experts

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