collier at the clamps, of Kuttenberg
“I pull my weight hauling timber up the hills, though nobody seems to notice. I am a proper woodsman.”
Things Fritz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday after Ascension, at Compline
Emma at the butcher's yard called me a senseless lout over a torn sack. I have her good bone needle in my tunic and there it stays until she calls me an honest collier. I am no child to be scolded before the yard.
Nota scribaeDictated in a whisper. The lad kept staring at his muddy boots.
the Tuesday after Philip and James, at None
Master Franz demands two full clamps this week, rain or shine. My back is breaking under the heavy oak. At least I have no coin for armour, so the king's men leave me to my soot instead of dragging me to the levy.
Blessed are the poor, lad. Else always said a full purse just brings thieves and captains.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
Down at the butcher's yard to measure the charcoal. Hermann is drinking his wages again, missing his late wife. I sit quiet in the corner. A man who watches the shadows learns more than the loud fools.
You sit quiet because you are afraid of your own shadow, Fritz.
Nota scribaeThe boy spilled ale on the ledger while fidgeting with his hem.
the feast of St Gregory, at Prime
The wood is too hard, Thomas says. His own blade is out being sharpened, he says. Always a fresh excuse. I worked two months for that forged broadaxe and have not seen it since February. God grant me patience.
Hold your water, lad. I just need it to trim a few more logs. You will get it back when the work is done.
Candlemas, at Vespers
Bought a beautifully forged broadaxe from a travelling smith. A true mark of a proper woodsman! I lent it to Thomas just to trim some wood for the newly dug clamp. A man must help his fellow colliers.
A fool and his silver are soon parted, Fritz. You will not see that axe again.
Nota scribaeHe spoke with unseemly pride for a man covered in ash.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You clumsy fool, bring my needle back to Wilhelm's house before I box your ears!
Admit I am an honest worker first.