labourer at the market, of Kuttenberg
“I work with my hands and keep my coin in my purse, while the rest drink theirs. A man must plan for the freeze.”
Things Michael the Townsman had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Friday before Whitsun, at Compline
Bread is dearer again this week. The soldiers on the road take everything, and the merchants pay us in coppers when they pay at all. I sat on a pile of stones at midday chewing a crust as hard as a brick. If Master Humphrey were here, we would have silver on a Saturday.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
Stephen is a lying dog and he can whine all he likes. He wants his brass lamp back because his back hurts in the dark. I say he owes me twenty groschen for covering his lodging rent. The lamp stays with me until he speaks the truth.
You thief! I never asked you to pay that rent, and you know my back is ruined!
Pay the twenty groschen, Stephen. Then you can have your precious lamp.
Nota scribaeHe spoke very fast and kept his arms crossed tight against his chest the whole time.
the Wednesday before Easter, at Sext
The damp in this cellar is eating into my bones. It was not like this in the year ninety-nine. Milada would cook a thick stew for us, and her hearth was the only warm place in this town. God rest her soul. None of these young maids know how to stretch a cabbage.
My sister was a saint. Do not speak her name while you hold my lamp captive, Michael.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Prime
Martin is too impatient. He lent me a good tool, and now he pesters me daily for it. I still have a cart to finish mending, and a man without a tool is a man without a meal. He is a fool if he thinks I will hand it over before the job is done.
It has been weeks! Give it back, sakra! You are stealing my livelihood to save yours!
A borrowed thing should go back, Michael. It is only right.
Nota scribaeDictated at the market square. He looked over his shoulder twice while speaking.
Candlemas, at dawn
Stood in the freezing cold at the lower market today, waiting for a merchant's finger. Got picked to haul timber. It is back-breaking work, but I took my pay and hid it away. The rest of the crew went straight to the alehouse. When the freeze truly comes, they will be begging on the church steps.
A pint of ale keeps the cold out better than a hidden groschen, Michael.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, Michael. Master Humphrey never let a man starve if he did a fair day's work.
You still have enough coin hidden under your mattress to buy a whole bakery, you tight-fisted whoreson.