Knecht Ruprecht (German pronunciation: [ˌknɛçtˈʁuː.pʁɛçt] ; English: Farmhand Rupert, Servant Rupert or Farmhand Robert, Servant Robert) is a companion of Saint Nicholas as described in the folklore of Germany. He is the most popular gift-bringing character in Germany after Saint Nicholas, Christkindl, and Der Weihnachtsmann but is virtually unknown outside the country.[1] He first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a Nuremberg Christmas procession.[2]: 155
- ^ Tom A. Jerman. Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers. p. 71.
- ^ Siefker, Phyllis (1997). Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years. McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-2958-5.