“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” Today is the feast of the early Roman martyrs Sts. Crispin and Crispian, whom William Shakespeare’s Crispin’s Day speech in the play Henry V immortalized in the English-speaking world.
The speech is an inspirational rallying cry from Henry to his men as they face a much more powerful and numerous French force before the battle at Agincourt — which, in fact, the outnumbered English did historically win. But the speech of an English playwright from the 16th century in the mouth of an English king from the 15th century captures some of the spirit of 21st century martyr Charlie Kirk, who like Crispin and Crispian died for his faith, and who, like Henry V, fought against great odds till his last breath.
Not long before he was assassinated at a campus event, Kirk responded to a question about what he wanted his legacy to be by saying, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing; most important thing is my faith.” That is exactly what the brothers Crispin and Crispian might have said. The charitable cobblers whom pagans murdered in Rome and the American Turning Point USA founder whom an LGBTQ radical shot were separated by more than 1700 years, and yet both of them knew that their faith in God was the most important factor in their lives and in their deaths.
Charlie Kirk on how he wanted to be remembered.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 11, 2025
Question: “How would you wanna be remembered?”
Charlie: “I wanna be remembered for courage for my faith. That that would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.” pic.twitter.com/fwBV9UVefc
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The patriotism of the historical Henry V was far more selfish than the patriotism of Charlie Kirk, because Henry was focused on gaining more territory in a way that benefited him far more than the ordinary soldiers who died obtaining it. But the idealized Henry V of Shakespeare’s play is a little closer to Kirk. Both of them were able to move huge crowds and inspire exceptional bravery against massive odds with just their words and their presence.
Their weapons were different, but Kirk‘s battle was almost even more important than Agincourt, because he fought not for personal glory or gain, but for the salvation of America. And the 2024 election will go down in the history books as surely as Agincourt did. If only Kirk had lived to lead America as president. But while the leader became a modern martyr, the fight goes on, and it is up to us to preserve and further Charlie’s legacy.
As you read Shakespeare’s speech, take inspiration and courage from it to fight as bravely as Charlie did:
No, my fair cousin:
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
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.
