Krispin

[bizinya]

Where in early English literature does the name Krispin appear?

[Whifflingpin]

How early?

St Crispin is the patron saint of shoemakers, I think. Mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry V.

.

[bizinya]

Not sure about how early. Someone told me that their name came from early english literature and I am trying to solve the puzzle...

[Petrarch's Love]

As Wifflingpin points out, the person probably had in mind the allusion to St. Crispin's day in the very famous speech in act 4, scene 3 of Shakespeare's Henry V. Henry is rallying his troops at the famous battle of Agincourt, which took place on St. Crispin's day. It's the same speech that contains the line "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."

[Virgil]

That's such a great speech that it requires the entire quote:

King Hnery V speaking:

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

So inspiring, especially these lines:

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day:

and these:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Sorry to you ladies, but this is such a manly passage.