townsman doing odd jobs, of Kuttenberg
“I keep my head down and pray the bailiff's men look the other way. Lord knows a man my age belongs in a tavern, not a ditch.”
Things Walter Clark had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after St John before the Latin Gate, at Vespers
William took another yard of good cloth to the bailiff's house for that girl Juliana. Lord knows I cannot afford it, but if she spills ink on my name in the ledger, it is worth every groschen. I am no soldier.
Nota scribaeDictated at the tavern. He was shaking and spilled ale on my parchment.
the feast of St Mark, at None
Those two whoresons Simon and Oswald are yelling again about who left poor Bartholomew to die in the mud. Lord knows they bring the stink of the grave in here with them. A man cannot even drink his ale in peace.
Move to the corner table with me, Walter. Let the wolves snap at each other.
Say that to my face, you old coward.
the second day of Easter week, at Terce
Saw Isabel Hill screeching at her sister over a strip of dirt. Young folk have too much breath to waste. Lord knows they will ruin the soil before they ever figure out who owns it. Better to sit and drink.
Mind your own business, Walter. At least I have land to fight over.
Nota scribaeHe said screeching like a rusty hinge but I left the hinge out.
the eve of St Joseph, at Sext
Helped haul flour today to pay my rent. My back aches like a rotten tooth, and my stomach is sour again. I need to sit at the kupecka and rest my bones. Lord knows I am getting too old for this.
I have a fresh barrel tapped. Bring your groschen.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
They say the king is still taken and the Hungarians are marching. There is talk of another levy in the town. Lord knows I cannot sleep for fear my name is in that cursed book. I must speak to William.
Come to the kitchen door later. We will figure something out.
Nota scribaeThe man looks as if he has not slept since Epiphany.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
She took it, Walter. Keep your voice down about it, or the bailiff will hear.