housekeeper at normalni farm, of Bylany
“I keep Joseph's house, watch our daughter Emma, and try to make the meal stretch through these hard times.”
Things Margery had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Compline
I smoothed my apron a hundred times today. The roads are still full of Sigismund's rough men, and I dare not walk to Sedletz. But my late sister Katherine died of the coughing sickness, and if I delay my offering much longer, I fear the Lord will punish my cowardice.
Nota scribaeShe twisted a rag in her hands the entire time she spoke.
the second Tuesday after Easter, at None
Emma is weeping in the dairy again. Joseph caught her talking to Hugh before he left for Prague and forbade the match. Hugh is landless and drinks too much ale, so my husband has the right of it. Still, I fear her stubbornness will bring us grief.
the Wednesday of Easter week, at Terce
It is a heavy sin to withhold a worker's wage. I told Joseph we must pay Sybil for her help with the planting, but he says the tolls and the carts took it all. The lockbox under the floorboards is empty, and I must bear Sybil's sharp tongue.
A sin crying out to heaven, Margery! I cannot eat your apologies.
If I had the coin I would give it, kurva! The soldiers took what we had.
Peace, Joseph. Do not swear on Easter week.
Nota scribaeDictated while grinding grain. She sighed deeply between every sentence.
the fourth Friday of Lent, at Sext
The levy has taken Martin from us. He was Joseph's best hired hand, and now we are falling behind before the planting is even done. Joseph hired Sybil to take his place, but the house is full of shouting. I miss the quiet.
The king's war spares nobody's fields, Margery. We lost a good lad too.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
The earthen floor bit at my heels this morning as I coaxed the embers in the hearth. It is freezing, but nothing like the bitter frost three winters ago when my poor sister Katherine died. I pray to Saint Margaret we survive this season with our health.
Amen to that. Katherine was a good soul. In heaven there is no winter.
Nota scribaeShe crossed herself twice before speaking of the dead.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Trust in Our Lady's mercy, Margery. The roads are truly no place for a decent woman just now.
Stay by the hearth. We all know you are a godly woman.