Shoemaking has a long history and one that is rich in tradition. Within the trade itself--among shoe and bootmakers--the legends, the traditions, and the history really begin with St. Crispin. St. Crispin is the patron
saint of shoemakers. Since medieval times, October 25th has been celebrated as St. Crispin's Day and the Shoemaker's Holiday. In the past, boot and shoemakers traditionally closed their shops on this day, in celebration and commemoration.
But there is more to the story of St. Crispin than meets the eye. Actually there are two stories that seem to be the same...one in England, one in France. Crispin and his brother Crispianus were born into a wealthy Roman family in the third century A.D.. During the Diocletion persecution of Christians they escape to Noviodunum in France--later known as Soissons. Effectively disinherited and forced to fall back upon their own resources, Crispin and Crispianus become shoemakers. Although teaching the gospel was their life's work, they made shoes for the poor. Arrested and led before the Roman authorities, they were urged to recant. Both refused. Whereupon millstones were hung about thier necks and they were thrown into the Aisne river. But both had the makings of sainthood in them even then and they refused to drown. At this point they were thrown into a cauldron of boiling lead followed by a cauldron of pitch, fat and oil but again, they emerge unscathed. Legend even suggests that they frolicked and sang until delivered by an angel. Finally they were beheaded on November 8th, 288 A.D. on a plain near Soissons, which later became known as St. Crepin-en-Chaye.
The English version depicts Crispin and his brother as the sons of the queen of Logia (Kent). In order to escape the persecution being waged against Christians by Diocletian, the two brothers dress in commoners clothes and leave their mother and the town of their birth--now known as Canterbury. Arriving in Faversham in the middle of the night they knock on a door from which merry song is emanating. This turns out to be the house of Robards, a master shoemaker. Impressed by their manners, Robards takes them in. Straight away they enter into a seven year apprenticeship. So good was their work that Robards soon finds himself apponted shoemaker to Maximinus (Diocletian's associate Emperor in the Roman Empire). Sent to Canterbury with shoes for Ursula, the Emperors daughter, Crispin is struck by her beauty and falls in love with her. After all the trials and tribulations that love and class can inflict upon them, Ursula and Crispin marry in secret. When Maximinus finally learns of Crispin's high birth he becomes reconciled to their marriage and even blesses their son saying " A shoemaker's son is a prince born." The secret marriage was confirmed on October the 25th and was celebrated with much feasting and drinking. And that day has ever since been the Shoemakers' holiday.
Although the story is probably a 15th or 16th century retelling of the Crispin legend, we know a little more about St. Hugh, who, although never formally canonized, is the English counterpart to St. Crispin. Hugh was born a prince of Britain, son of Arviragus–king of Powisland (modern day Wales). He fell in love with a beautiful Christian princess, Winifred of Flintshire. Winifred's story contains many of the same elements of the 7th century Saint Winifred of Holywell and Shrewsbury fame. Her appearance in the legend of St. Hugh is similar in that having taken a vow of chastity, she cruelly spurns Hugh's overtures. In despair, Hugh sets out upon a journey across Europe. At last tired and convinced that he has mistaken Winifred's intentions, he takes passage back to England. Mid journey his ship is caught in a storm and Hugh is the only survivor. When he finally makes it back to his home, he is destitute. Thrown back his own resources, Hugh becomes a shoemaker, preaching the gospel by day and plying his craft by night. Hugh renews his suit of Winifred (who, like her namesake, is now living by a spring) but to his dismay, the results are the same. When Winifred is arrested and condemned to death for her devotion to God, Hugh sets off to Flintshire. There he speaks so highly of her and praises her so lavishly, that he is imprisoned and condemned to share her fate. According to the story, both Hugh and Winifred were put to death about 300 A.D.. Winifred was bled to death in emulation of the wounds that Christ received. Hugh was made to drink a poisoned cup of her blood, and then he was hung. Legend has it that his fellow shoemakers kept constant vigil and consoled him during the time of his imprisonment. As he drank from the poisoned cup, he bequeathed all his worldly goods to his friends. Since he was destitute, all he had to leave them was his bones After his death, his friends pulled his body from the gibbet and distributed his bones. These were made into tools for making shoes. For many years, in fact, a shoemaker's tool kit was called St. Hugh's Bones.
