vegetable seller at the cross, of Bylany
“I sell the finest root vegetables in Bylany, and it takes a strong back in this muck.”
Things Amice Hunter had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers
The toll bailiffs took three pennies today! They say the King's brother needs it for his army. Christ's wounds, how am I to survive? If the soldiers come closer to Bylany, I will never make my pilgrimage. The saint will surely strike me dead.
Nota scribaeShe was very loud. I had to ask her to stop shouting in my ear.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
Easter has come and gone, and still I haven't paid my debt to the saint. My heel is bruised from hauling the cart from the barn. If I had Margaret's head for the ledger I'd have coin for a mule, but I've only my own back.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at None
A young beggar lad tried to snatch my coin pouch while I was yelling my prices! I chased him off with a hard onion to the ear. I keep Margaret's old bean sack tied to the handle for luck, and I surely needed it today.
Nota scribaeThe onion struck a passing monk instead, but I did not write that down.
the eve of St Matthias, at Prime
The left wheel broke entirely this morning. It's not the rutted track, it's Saint Barbara. Three winters since the frost took my cellar, and I still haven't walked barefoot to Sedletz with that silver groschen. The Hungarians on the roads keep me here.
Candlemas, at Terce
Christ's wounds, the mud is thick today. My cart's left wheel is groaning worse than the bald beggar woman at the cross. I tossed her a soft turnip so she'd stop tapping her bowl. I've fine cabbages today, if anyone has coin.
I know not who you are, but the bald woman worked my ovens once. Her name is Ellen. Give her good food, not rot.
She gets my Christian charity, baker, and that is enough. Buy a cabbage or hold your tongue.
Nota scribaeDictated at the stone cross. She threw the turnip rather hard.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
At least Margaret doesn't have to see these taxes. God rest her soul.